How much is a James Krenov plane worth?

[Martin Shupe]

Go to "the auction site", and do a seach on James Krenov. He is apparently selling wooden block planes for astounding prices.

Oh, you have to look under "completed auctions".

I wasn't planning on bidding on it, but watched it to see how high it would go.

[Chuck Nickerson]

from Deneb's handtool class. Well this auction explored the limits of what I won't spend. I've printed it out for the next time my girlfriend harumphs abount my spending $475 for the L-N #8.

[Roger Bell]

The value of these planes is entirely due to the fact that Mr. Krenov himself is making them, that the production is probably very limited, and the buyer has a chance to own something "somewhat affordable" made by Mr. K. This is really not an unusual phenomenon for any item made or owned by someone famous or well respected. I wonder how much a block plane owned by Jimmy Carter or Elvis might fetch? I recall bidding a few hundred some years ago on a blockplane made by the Roycrofters.....didnt get it and probably just as well.....but the rarity and the provenance of the tool commanded the price.

I think that another motivation for a potential buyer might be the opportunity to assist Mr. K to continue to earn a living...since apparently he does not produce furniture anymore. Now perhaps if he produces a plane a week for sale for the next couple of years, the prices will drop enough where a few of the rest of us might end up with one.

Try buying one of his furniture pieces. The market speaks for itself. You can buy other planes nearly identical in style and perhaps of comparable quality from unknown makers for next to nothing.

[Lee DeRaud]

Huh...I wondered about this very question awhile back (http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=38592) ...guess I have an answer now.

[Martin Shupe]

from Deneb's handtool class. Well this auction explored the limits of what I won't spend. I've printed it out for the next time my girlfriend harumphs abount my spending $475 for the L-N #8.

Hi Chuck, good to hear from you. Yes, well above my limit as well. Makes the LN's look inexpensive by comparison.

Roger, I am not sure that JK needs the cash, or his son-in-law, who appears to be running the auctions. Yes, I realize why they cost so much, but for $1200, they could look a little nicer than this one does. Heck, it didn't even have a Hock blade in it! I thought it was funny that one guy retracted his bid for that reason. Steve Knight makes some planes that look beautiful and probably cut wood just as nice or better, and his are actually affordable! (Not that I have any.)

I just thought it was interesting to see what someone will pay, and I am sure his furniture is worth big bucks, too.

[Mike Wenzloff]

Hi Martin, price is relative. The amount charged by Jim for his cabinets was below what some students wanted to try/do sell theirs for. This was a source of friction within the school.

That the man is remaining active despite not being able to continue building the cabinets is wonderful. That the plane opened and sold is a plus.

Take care, Mike

[Deirdre Saoirse Moen]

I have two of Steve Knight's planes and they are quite wonderful.

I can't see paying $1200 for a Krenov myself, but it is a chance to own a piece of history from a noted planemaker who doesn't have a whole lot of time left to make planes, you know?

[Zahid Naqvi]

If I could afford it I wouldn't even think twice about it. I understand that there are other planes of better quality out there, but James Krenov is a legend and I would happily pay that (if I could) out of respect and appreciation for the man and his contribution to his craft.

[Mark Singer]

I think you buy it as a piece of art....you should use it....but it is a rare and special piece and it is hard to value something like this.....there are awful paintings for a lot more money and hotel rooms for more.....now where is my Opus I and the beluga caviar

[Derek Cohen]

I think that most miss the point when they look at one of JK's planes and comment that it is unfinished or poorly made or not made as nicely as one of Steves ...

There is a freedom in these planes. For JK the only thing that mattered was the performance. Looks are irrelevant. Some woodworkers love to work their tools, love the looks of the tools, admire their tools ... For JK all that matters is the Work in Progress, and the plane is just the means to an end.

The true value of these planes lies not in the price obtained at auction, and not in the value to a collector (although this is why they will be purchased). The true value lies in what the plane represents.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[skip coyne]

"A thing is worth whatever the buyer will pay for it." --Publilius Syrus: "Sententiae" ca. 50 B.C.

[Javier Gonzalez]

I read (I think it was in a FW article/interview) where he said that making them is a
simple process once you grab the basics and then said that he would never be
interested in making one for selling. But what the heck, there's no sin in changing one's
mind. I think it's a good investment, especially if it's a limited run.

[John Shuk]

I had the idea that these were planes from Krenov's collection of what I assume are his users. That would make the plane worth much more to me than if it were one that he merely made for sale.

[Martin Shupe]

I had the idea that these were planes from Krenov's collection of what I assume are his users. That would make the plane worth much more to me than if it were one that he merely made for sale.

That was the idea I got as well, and I agree. I just didn't think it would go that high.

[Javier Gonzalez]

I like that cocobolo one he built shown in the Handplane Book. Something about it's simple
crude,bandsawed look as opposed to polished plane appealed to me. He takes alot of
pride in his work and these wouldn't be of any lesser quality than the ones he built for
himself.