Chamfer Stop Above Shoulder
Variant
The chamfer stop above shoulder feature was first discussed on the Facebook Rhykenology Group starting May 31, 2021.
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Marked planes with this feature included S King, P Hachenberg, T Waterman, Jn Tower and O Rugg. Recently a plane by Samuel Ash has been identified and it too has this chamfer feature.
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Rhykenology Group members who shared this information include Bill B, Paul H and the editor.
Here is a recounting of the Rhykenology Group discussion.
Bill B.
"This is a group of 6 planes collected over the past few years that exhibit an unusual stylistic feature that I'm researching.
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All were purchased online and came from 4 different states in the North East U.S. All appear to be late 18th to early 19th century. Five are Beech and one is Birch. Lengths from 9-3/8" to 10-7/8". Two are maker marked, P.HACHENBERG of central PA and S.KING likely from Maine.
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The feature in question appears on the planes shoulder side as a transitional flat vertical area between the chamfer turnout and the horizontal shoulder flat. I have yet to find any printed material or diagrams to explain this feature nor have I spoken with another collector who could explain it either.
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I'm posting this finding in hopes of reaching a larger audience of collectors who may shed some light on this unusual feature. So far I have not noticed this feature on British planes I have seen and I'm not familiar enough with Continental planes to know if it existed there.
Here's a new pic of the T. Waterman planes in my collection - a 1" hollow/round set and a 1/2" round (no matching hollow, sadly). Found in a craftsman's tool chest my late father-in-law lugged from Maine to Florida probably 25 years ago.
Bill B.
I was sure this was a PA area feature until the S. King showed up and then the T. Waterman. 3 of the planes came out of PA. (Editor; The T Waterman planes show a high degree of variability suggesting that they may have been made by different hands.)
Both S King and T Waterman seem to have a wide variation of chamfer/details including the ones shown here. S King variations may to do with having been made over a long period of time. The T Waterman planes seem to have been made by different craftsmen. Here are two other planes which show a chamfer variation above the shoulder which are also unusual. The O Rugg is rather close to the shared photos while the Jn Tower molder is different. The Tower planes show variability as well...from this unusual variant to much more standard features
With Tower, I have three with this unusual feature and have seen at least two others. But most are more standard fare...other than being on the short side.
Bill B.
I would say the O. Rugg plane definitely show the chamfer feature. That makes a 3rd upper New England maker to be identified.
The Jn. Tower is interesting, I've not seen an American plane with a mitered shoulder before, very unique. That was a very early British feature. I have 2 Tower planes but they have the more standard feature.
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I'm baffled that Tower was making planes with a mitered shoulder during his time. That feature was from the first quarter of the 18th century. You never know what surprises these old planes hold ...
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Editor
Here's photos of a molder made by Samuel Ash which has the same chamfer stop style. See the write-up on Samuel (Darby, PA joiner b1748 - d1836) added to the new imprint section 2-2024.
