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Using
a bizarre comparison, this plane might be called the ultimatum
plane because of its similarity to the Ultimatum brace, a well
known style of English woodworking brace manufactured in the
1900s. This plane has all the requisites — a heavy, elaborately
shaped brass casting with fine decorative pieces of exotic wood
inset into the metal body, making a pleasing marriage of two dissimilar
elements. There is no doubt this plane would be admired by any
tradesperson for its maker's skillful execution.
Designed to be used as a rebate plane, the tool has a bevel-down
blade with a 45° bed angle and a larger mouth opening than
is normally found in a shoulder plane. It was meant to be used
to cut a heavier shaving than is generally associated with a
low-angle 20° to 25° bevel-up shoulder-type plane.
The casting has some thickness at the sole, nose and around
the escapement and wedge slot. The main body where the inset
panels are placed is an open pierced section, while the outer
side panels, although cut from the body infill, are treated
as a veneer application. The body infill appears to be a variety
of rosewood.
At 9" long and 3/4" wide, the plane's distinctive
convoluted body shape gives the user numerous handholds. For
some, this might seem an uncomfortable bed for repetitive steady
hand placement, but, in practice, this versatility gives the
user options when manipulating the plane in an unconventional
manner. The tool has been heavily used, most certainly signifying
that it was not made to be merely an ornament. However, the
understated elegance and appearance somewhat overtake the tool's
functionality. In today's environment, I suspect the plane
would be relegated to the display cabinet. |
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