Last words on subject.
D’you know; the first ‘box’ I ever owned was made by a colliery joiner in 1956 – it followed me through boarding school and has been used to house and care for ‘items’ of interest for over 60 years now. Presently, it houses my modest collection of ‘old’ but functional bench planes and it cares for them very well. I care not that the latest handle on the 1902 Stanley does not quite ‘fit’ or; is not crafted in some ‘original’ wood. I care that when I open the box and reach for the old 41/2 that it functions. Back in the day, the cost of such an item was probably prohibitive to all but a craftsman on a good wage. Someone who ‘cut wood’ for a living and was, in all probability, very good at doing so.
I have no intention, whatsoever of ‘selling’ it along, nor, delusions of ‘improving’ the thing. As it sits now, with a new ‘accurately’ fashioned ‘tote’ it is, IMO, functional; it cuts wood. I smile every once a while, using the thing – perhaps the original owner guides my clumsy attempts at precision, simply because I cared enough to restore to working order a work tool on which he relied. You never know; but, I reckon that old plane has a magic above my humble skills. Makes me wonder – just a bit – of old spirits, old hands, old skills and, above all; at old school patience in setting the tool to rights, to do the job, quickly, efficiently and accurately.
I know, it’s a ramble; but that is a seriously good, working plane – now. Somehow, it just matters to me that a 60 y.o box and a 115 y.o plane made it this far, functional and effective. Who needs a ‘throw away’ society? Certainly, not I Aye, it’s the Guinness – but what is wrong with that?
