I have refurbished a large number of pre war Stanley/Bailey hand planes. While the metal parts are fairly standardized, it seems that there is a tremendous variation in the shape of the rosewood totes even within intended planes sizes.
  • The horns seem to have various shapes some longer than others, (I realize some have been broken off and cleaned up),
  • the forward angles on some seem to be more acute while others more upright.
  • some seem to be fatter than others


Does anyone have any insight as to why this is? Were the totes different based on the location of the factory... who was on shift that day. Being wood and not metal were they more hand crafted lending to more variability? Opinions?