We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. However, this does not impact our recommendations.
One of my first handplanes, a Stanley No. 5, had a shopmade tote that was all kinds of wrong. Wrong shape, wrong wood, wrongly made.
So as soon as I could, I bought a replacement front knob and tote. These also were all kinds of wrong. Wrong wood, wrong glossy finish, wrong high knob. But the tote was the right shape, so I kept it on the tool for the last decade or so.
Today I put on a vintage rosewood tote and the original low knob on the plane and went to work raising some drawer bottoms. I have no idea if the tote is of the correct vintage (nor do I particularly care), but it sure looks and feels right to me.
So thanks to Carl Bilderback, who sent me the tote after seeing my flashy one (and probably rolling his eyes).
– Christopher Schwarz
Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality.
Checking the type study, it looks like you have the right parts. The knob from a 4 is the same as the 5, the 3 and 5-1/4 are smaller and the 4-1/2, 5-1/2, 6, 7 and 8 are larger. Now that the tool feels good in your hand, the effect of making shavings is like you have eaten chocholate. Enjoy.
r/ Gordon
That looks at home on your bench!
After fondling the different types of stanley planes I settled on the type 9 low knob and tote. It dosen’t feel like i’m holding a tool, it’s more like a natural extension of my hands.