Howkins model A plane
- Thread starter adrspach
- Start date
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I'll have a go.
One source is Handplane Central. I looked there and found this page http://www.handplane.com/126/howkins-plow-plane/ but thought that the information was unusually scrappy, and remembered reading something better. Thinking it was at Alf's Cornish Workshop site, I looked there, only to find a link back to this page at Handplane Central which is much more informative - http://www.handplane.com/52/the-howkins-plane/. That article does at least tell you that the model A is rarer.
However, the page is still a bit messed up and refers to but does not include the well-known page from the 1935 Buck and Hickman catalogue, so here's a scan of that:
It is silent on the model A, however. Tony Murland's guide does list models A to D, and says that the model A was in gunmetal, while the others were all in iron. That could be why it is rarer. Presumably it was offered before the others, some time in the 20s.
I have a copy of the instruction leaflet issued with a model C, which describes B to D, but not A.
Have you got one, or the chance to get one?
Edited to add: Definitely gunmetal. Plenty of nice close up pictures on this old ebay listing http://www.ebay.ie/itm/141934704089 , also showing the 1913 patent date.
One source is Handplane Central. I looked there and found this page http://www.handplane.com/126/howkins-plow-plane/ but thought that the information was unusually scrappy, and remembered reading something better. Thinking it was at Alf's Cornish Workshop site, I looked there, only to find a link back to this page at Handplane Central which is much more informative - http://www.handplane.com/52/the-howkins-plane/. That article does at least tell you that the model A is rarer.
However, the page is still a bit messed up and refers to but does not include the well-known page from the 1935 Buck and Hickman catalogue, so here's a scan of that:
It is silent on the model A, however. Tony Murland's guide does list models A to D, and says that the model A was in gunmetal, while the others were all in iron. That could be why it is rarer. Presumably it was offered before the others, some time in the 20s.
I have a copy of the instruction leaflet issued with a model C, which describes B to D, but not A.
Have you got one, or the chance to get one?
Edited to add: Definitely gunmetal. Plenty of nice close up pictures on this old ebay listing http://www.ebay.ie/itm/141934704089 , also showing the 1913 patent date.
I did the search on the Cornish and Central site.
It appears that only 50 of Model A were ever made and by holding it in my hand yes it is definitely gunmetal. I am trying to find out a bit more about it and how to use it as this one supposed to be different from its successors.
It appears that only 50 of Model A were ever made and by holding it in my hand yes it is definitely gunmetal. I am trying to find out a bit more about it and how to use it as this one supposed to be different from its successors.
memzey
Established Member
Nice find Stefan! If you need to borrow a stone to sharpen it on just let me know 
adrspach":3vziu2b0 said:
Admittedly, this is about the later models but it may be some use. AFAIK there's no special club for owners of the very few survivors from that batch of 50!
I'd be fascinated to read of your experience of trying to use the thing.
I thought I remembered a thread on here about someone who bought one from some nuns who had been using it for picture framing, but couldn't find it, just some very old jokes. Anyone else remember that?
(Edited to update image links.)
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