Hi Sawdust Producer - You asked for it so here it is..........
The Calvert Stevens CS 88 is a Heavy Smoothing Plane, the size of a Record or Stanley Bailey 4 1/2 but somewhat heavier than these planes, weighing in at a little over 5 and 3/4 lbs.
It was designed by Martin Calvert & Mel Stevens and produced and marketed for them by Record - Marples in 1988/89. Their design incorporates a Norris Style Adjuster giving very accurate lateral and vertical adjustment of the Cutting Iron, a Stay Set Cap Iron with Laminated Cutting Iron, a Heavy Duty Gunmetal Lever Cap, Rosewood Low Style Knob and Rosewood Tote and a Unique Frog Adjusting Mechanism. The Body is cast in fine grey steel and is of a much heavier casting than the normal Stanley or Record 4 1/2. The colour of the japanning is a dark, almost British Racing Green. A limited number were produced for a very limited time and each one carries a unique number. This number is stamped into the body, underneath the handle. They are complimented by a Mahogany coloured, red lined wooden box.
When they were first on sale in 1988, if I remember correctly, the retail price was £135 although they could be bought for around the £99.99 mark from most of the big tool suppliers that advertised in the woodworking magazines, such as Axminster and Benmail etc. Oh! How I lusted after one but couldn't afford the hundred quid. A few years later, at the beginning of the '90s, when I did find myself with a spare £100, they had become scarcer, and the price shot up to £137.50, if you could find one. AAARRRGH !!! I couldn't afford it again. At that time, a Record or Stanley 4 1/2 could be purchased new for less than £30. I now have 2 CS 88s and one may get used occasionaly, whilst the other will remain on the shelf, resigned to a life of idleness and addoration.
All in all, the CS88 Plane is a remarkable piece of design and engineering combining the best in older design with new and is a great asset to those wishing to do fine cabinet work or high class joinery, although I reckon that most of them will have only tasted wood once and then been given pride of place in the centre of a displayed collection for they are works of art in their own right.
This is entirely my own description and opinion. If I have omitted anything or got my figures wrong, then anyone out there who knows better, please do correct me.
All the best
Stanley-Miller 41 (Mike)
