Description:
A skewed rabbet plane cuts a rabbet, which is an L-shaped recess cut into the edge or surface of a board, typically intended to receive another member. For example, one half of a shiplap joint, that will receive an adjoining piece of shiplap. The plane iron is oriented at an angle, or skewed, to enable cleaner cuts, especially across a board’s grain. See: Graham Blackburn, “Traditional Woodworking Handtools: A Manual for the Woodworker, a Guide for the Enthusiast” (New York: The Lyons Press, 1988), 168.
The plane was manufactured by Fox & Washburn, and features the manufacturer imprint A. Possibly a partnership of Luther Fox and William Lyman Washburn, “who operated in 1835-1836.” According to the Pollaks, Luther Fox made planes in Amherst, MA from 1831-1843 (page 155), and William Lyman Washburn made planes in Amherst, MA from 1835-1840 (page 432). The partnerships that the Pollaks link with Fox and Washburn, respectively, are preceded with “probably.” As of 2/13/18, information on Fox & Washburn is inconclusive. The Pollaks rate this plane with three stars for very rare, which denotes between 50 and 100 known examples. See: Emil and Martyl Pollak, “A Guide to the Makers of American Wooden Planes (New Jersey: Astragal Press, 2001), 8, 155.
The plane stock and wedge are beech. There is no manufacturer imprint on the plane iron, but there is a mark " \ \ " possibly made by the owner/user. The plane iron, which measures 4.75" in length, is very short, and barely extends the plane stock when the iron is in the plane.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+78.049 |
