Being  a tool dealer, as well as an enthusiastic collector, over many years there have been occasions when lesser known names have cropped up on hand planes, which I have seen, mainly of the no 4, no 5 and 110 block plane varieties.

Despite asking many other tool enthusiasts,and dealers, little if any, background details of the makers has been known.

So, a few years ago, I started to collate information on the varied names, that seemed to share similar characteristics, such as frog details and design,

As more and more people used the internet, more snippets of information has been slotted in, with what I already had filed away, until I felt it was ready for putting it out to a wide audience.

However (and there is always an however), I must stress, that the following is all from my own researches. They are not  complete and and in any way definitive. I will be happy to receive any photographs, details,  or information that can expand on  what I have written here.

But, I hope it fills a few gaps, and acts as a guide,  for all  the curious tool buffs out there.

Many of the name variants emanate from one manufacturer -

Whitmore Planes and their various guises !

The owners were Branson Baker Ltd
Their factory was located at:
331 New Hampton Road East
Whitmore Reans
Wolverhampton, England

So, it would appear that the brand name 'Whitmore' appears to have derived from their address?
Branson Baker Ltd.,  entered plane making in 1955/56 by buying out the 'Sedgley' plane and spokeshave makers, Samuel Brookes & Co.

who had operated their manufactory from:  
Gospel End Street
Sedgley
Dudley
Birmingham, England

Samuel Brookes, as well as making their own brand planes,  also produced planes badged 'Tema', for Wilson Lovatt & Sons, hardware dealers  of Wolverhampton

                   
Once  Branson Baker began production under their Whitmore brand, they also continued to produce 'badged' planes for other firms, as well as their own original branding.
 

These are some of the  'badged' plane names:-
Sedgley - photos above            
Peartree

 

Tema    (Wilson Lovatt & Sons of Woilverhampton)
 
            
Peter Stubs (James Neil) - no photo yet
Talco    
 


Footprint    
 

        
Salmens / Master
 

CK (Ceka) - no photo yet        
Spinney
 

Rollins (John G Rollins Ltd., 25 Prescott Street, London, E1 - tool factors)
 

Change of Ownership

Footprint agreed to  purchase all machinery (c1978) from Branson Baker Ltd, and produce their own planes. And, I believe my research shows, also badged for:
 

Draper
 

Roebuck ( Buck and Hickman) - no photos yet

Faithful  (Curtis Holt Ltd.) - no photo yet

Benchmark (Home hardware of Canada) no photo yet

Mastercraft (Candian Tyre Co) no photo yet

Craftsman (Sears Roebuck in USA) no photo yet

Paragon  ( Lee Valley of Canada and Garrett Wade USA)

           

In the mid 1980's the Paragon was manufactured under strict specifications of Lee Valley.  Footprint ground off it's little footprint logo, on most, but not all Paragons. (It was cast into the plane base just behind the frog, and can be seen on some examples of Paragons ).

The Paragon departed from the Bailey design with  it's lever cap and rear tote.

The lever cap is similar to that of the Miller Falls 3-point design and appears to holds the cap iron and blade tighter to the frog face over a greater area. The tote is also more like the later Miller Falls design, more upright and lesser curves.

Lee Valley sold the Paragons in Canada, and I understand that Lee Valley sold the Paragons through Garrett Wade in the USA (notice the logo on the lever cap).

N.B. My research is still ongoing, in being able to 'fatten out' the story of this line of plane making, but very very slowly!

The Vintage Hand Tool  *Extravaganza*

Saturday the 16th October 2021 was the appointed day for holding the First of what is hoped will become a regular event, to be held in October and April each year!
Previously postponed from the previous two years, due the the covid problems we have all been restricted by.
With free entry and free car parking, the location was The Village Hall, Carlton Scroop, midway between Grantham and Lincoln, in the south of Lincolnshire.

Meet the attendee Tool Dealers -

David Burman from Norfolk,

Robert Leach from Old Hand Tools,

Brian Jackson the Norris Plane man, 

Adam Ashworth an up and coming wood-carving knife and axe maker,

and of course, the 'other' Robert McPhail, owner of Old Tool Mart.

As well as being able to look at and buy the tools,  we had the space and opportunity to stage various demonstrations and displays
   * Fanbird carving by Gary Joynt, aka 'The Wobbly Bodger'

   * Bushcraft and Greenwood expert Martin Rollins demonstrating the use of his collection of tools used in Greenwoodworking, and spoon carving.

   * Lincolnshire Woodturners represented by their President John Ingamells ably assisted by Ray, showing the range and scope that can be achieved  on a wood turning lathe.

   * Display of many  rare and unusual hand tools, collected over the years by Andy Brown, known famously amongst the 'Rhykenologists' for his set of mother planes, used for making wooden  moulding planes

  * Richard Arnold with his amazing collection of 18th century British wooden planes and also the wonderful Saws hand-made by Shane Skelton in Yorkshire.

  * An outstanding selection of Chariot Planes curated and restored by Tim Smith.

For everyone's delectation, whilst browsing the wares, watching the demonstrations or studying the displays, there were delicious slices of  home-made cakes, served with a cuppa! All cheerfully provided by Valerie and Susie.
Starting at 10.oo am and ran until 3.00 pm, the day was busy from the get-go.

It presented a great opportunity to meet up with like-minded tool enthusiasts, meeting up with old friends and customers, and making many new ones!

Photographs were meant to be taken at regular points in the day, but due to the constant influx of visitors, only a few actually got taken! They give a flavour of what was happening.

Quite a few TATHS membership forms were handed out to prospective new members, many of whom were not aware of the society's existence until today!  If you need more details please go to www.taths.org.uk for more information.

Now, starting to plan for next April's - as soon as  we know, you will know.
Looking forward to seeing many new faces there and then!

Regards, Robert - Old Tool Mart