CXXXIV. In this quarter is set three other Instruments necessary in Joyners Work. The first is a Joyners square of another form than what is mentioned chap. 9. numb. 15. It is made of two adjunct sides of a Geometrical square; that is two pieces of Wood, the one about an Inch thick, the other a quarter of an Inch, the one is fastned into the other with a Mortess with Glew and Wooden Pins, so as the two out-sides and the two inner sides stand at Right Angles one with another.
B. a Cheveron between 3 such O. is born by Richten.
The second in the Sinister chief, is called the Joyners Bench Hook, or the Work-Bench Hook, which is an Iron with a long Tang to go through a hole in the Bench, and a flat half round head, with Teeth on the streight side, to hold any thing that should be be set against it: So that in it there is the foresaid parts, Viz. the Tang or tail, the Head or flat, and the Teeth, and all but one Bench Hook.
The third thing that is placed in the Base, is termed a Smoothing Plain, one of a contrary fashion to that following in chap 9. numb. 21. this having a more flatter bottom and turned down in the ends, each Workman using his own fancy in the fashion of the Stocks.
— From Randle Holme’s “The Academy of Armory, or, A Storehouse of Armory and Blazon” Book III, Chapter VIII, Plate 2.
Chris, I see we’re on the installment plan with Randle Holme. You’ve apparently stunned your readers, no comments thus far. they must be waiting to see what tool is for sale next.
Holme’s other smoothing plane that he mentions here is a typical Dutch style, little up-swept thing. Looks like a toy whale.
Here too is one of Holme’s comments about each workman making his own planes; this could have been written anytime between 1649 and 1688 – but we know that in London by the latter date, there were professional planemakers…
for those wondering what the gibberish is that Randle is filling our heads with, these are things that might be found on coats of arms. thus the "sinister" etc. is just referring to position of the items in each block of images, instead of left, right, center.
Randle Holme’s book is amazing. be careful, once you dip into it, you might never get out; and you will bore folks to death. Thanks for bringing it up again Chris…
Follansbee