a copy of the book PLANECRAFT, subtitled Hand Planing. The copyright is 1974 (I've got a pair of boots that old), and it was published in Merry Old UK. Although the book doesn't say so up front, it seems to be (primarily) a treatise on Record planes (first) and how to use hand planes (second). The book has some good advice on setting up and using planes, particularly for my #45 (which Record calls the # 405). What I find very interesting is that the book only gives short shrift to Leonard Bailey for his design of the cam lever and thin cutter (iron), and there is absolutely no mention of Stanley planes at all. So, I pose the following questions to my fellow NeanderCreekers:
1. Am I mistaken, or did Record borrow (lift, steal?) Stanley's plane designs (which, some will argue, were themselves lifted from Bailey), or was it vice versa?
2. Are Record planes all that superior to Stanleys, or was it just these author's pride as Englishmen not to mention that Record based the design of their planes (mostly) on the Stanley designs (if in fact, Record did so)?
Thanks for your input.
Brian