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Hollows & Rounds Moulding planes Routledge Snipe bill

A day trip to Worcestershire

Routledge moulding planes
Excited to have such a great collection of moulding planes in such wonderful condition. The gentleman who owned these really looked after them.

Last week I had the pleasure of going back to the Midlands, the place where I was born, to meet an excellent fellow named Robert who had some wooden planes for sale. I’ve been hunting for a nice half, or full-set of moulding planes for a while. These Routledge planes were particularly attractive to me, being born in the Midlands, and Routledge was an excellent planemaker from the area.

Robert was passing on a collection of planes from his grandfather, who had been a cabinet maker. Rob turned out to be a very good salesman. As well as agreeing a deal on an extra bunch of planes and miscellaneous tools, I went back home with a bit more weight than I anticipated!

By the time I left, the planes were joined by some lovely Thos Ibbotson ‘pig-sticker’ mortise chisels, some Sorby and Marples carving chisels, too many awls and screwdrivers to list, and one other thing. Robert made me a deal which included also taking away his grandfathers home-made tool chest. A wondrous great mahogany beast, which will take a bit of work, but will be a nice piece when I’ve finished it. The Volvo was nearly doing a wheelie all the way back to London.

 

Routledge moulding planes
When I bought these I didn’t actually notice the box also included a matching pair of Routledge snipe-bills and a matched pair of side-rounds, both in stunning condition.

 

Routledge snipe-bill plane
Boxed snipe-bill with makers mark, the other snipe-bill is just as crisp.

 

Routledge 'round' moulding plane
Makers mark, ‘Routledge, 64 Bull Street’, BIRMINGHAM’.

 

Routledge side-round moulding plane
Again, matching pair is in fantastic condition for age.

 

Routledge 'round' moulding plane
Irons will just a need a hone, not much more.