Antique Stanley Tools

Antique Stanley tools are much sought after by collectors of old hand tools.

Collecting antique hand tools is an interesting hobby.

Antique tools appeal to collectors because of the superior craftsmanship that is so apparent in the tool. In a time when men created homes, furnishings, and transportation with simple materials, quality tools were a necessity.

Over the years the wooden handles of these tools were worn to a soft, smooth patina by the hands that gripped them. The materials were high quality, often the wooden parts were made of Brazilian Rosewood, a species known for its beauty and durability. Blades are generally tempered steel, built to be used for a lifetime. There is a fascination that collectors have for these tools, many of whom use them in their work or hobby.

While some antique Stanley tools are valuable, the vast majority of them are not. If you plan to begin a collection it is a good idea to get a good price guide.

Generally the earliest Stanley tools are more valuable than later models. Most tools that you will commonly find are going to be worth about fifty to seventy percent of the current retail price of the product.

There are certain tools that are very old, very rare, and very desirable. These are often difficult to identify. Sometimes the only difference in a valuable collectible and a four dollar vintage Stanley plane is one of the numbers on the patent.

As with all collectibles there are four things that determine value:

• Rarity – How many are available?
• Condition – Is it like new, or in the box?
• Desirability – Is it something that collectors want?
• Provenance – Who owned and used it?

Stanley Tools were one of the leaders in hand tools for nearly a century. The company began in 1843 when Frederick Trent Stanley decided to manufacture wrought iron bolts for doors and other hardware. He decided to open his doors as one of many foundries in New Britain, Connecticut. Stanley’s Bolt Manufactory became The Stanley Works as the company grew, largely due to Frederick Stanley’s passion for excellence.

In 1857 Frederick Stanley’s cousin, Henry, founded the Stanley Rule and Level Company. Both companies did an excellent business in their respective fields. Henry Stanley expanded his product line by acquiring companies that he felt were competitors. By buying out these companies he became the owner of many patent rights. Finally, in 1920, the two merged and become one company, with the Rule and Level Company becoming the hand tools division.

One of the reasons the company was so successful is that it listened to the mechanics and carpenters that used its tools. When they mentioned that a certain tool would work better if a particular adjustment was made, or that there should be a tool to meet a particular need, the Stanley Company complied and created it. By doing this the company built customer loyalty and increased its line of tools. It also gained a reputation for quality.

In 1922 the company began manufacturing a lower quality, less expensive line of tools aimed at the homeowner rather than the professional. These were meant to handle the do it yourself projects that homeowners were becoming involved in rather than hiring someone to do it.

As with any other collectible you should only collect what you are interested in and passionately love rather than collecting as an investment. However, there are certain things to look for when you are considering buying an antique tool:

• Original packaging or box almost always adds value
• Rust stains may detract from the value
• Cracks in the wood, handles and parts
• Missing parts and pieces
• Repairs and too much cleaning may take away from the value

You can find a helpful table to help you classify the collectibility of antique tools at Tool Timer.

Many people find tools locally at garage sales, antique stores, and auctions. Depending on where you live, it may be a better use of your time to keep an eye on the Internet.

An excellent web resource for both pictures and values is Supertool. If you need information on a Stanley plane you will more than likely be able to find it on this site along with some excellent descriptions and images.

Other resources for buying, selling, and evaluating antique tools are:

• eBay
• The Best Things
• Rose Antique Tools includes downloadable catalogs from years ago

Collecting these hand tools is a great hobby. By learning to use them you are not only preserving a piece of history but a way of life that has largely disappeared.

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