It’s a good thing my wife doesn’t read my blog because what I’m about to tell you would probably force me into sleeping on the couch for a week.
I’ve always wanted a tattoo. I don’t know why. It must be the redneck in me.
Today I got the next best thing to a tattoo. I received my beloved Type 11 Stanley No. 5 plane in the mail after letting engraver Catharine Kennedy have her way with it. I asked her if she could engrave the shape of the English layout square that is the motif in my upcoming book “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” on the sidewalls of the plane.
You know, something simple.
But like tattoos, things got out of hand quickly. After Kennedy sent me some sketches I went for the full-blown scrolls on both sidewalls that you can see here.
The work is simply stunning. I am a decent photographer, but I just cannot do justice to her work. The level of detail on the scrolls – each one is beveled on the inside like it was done with a V-tool – is intoxicating. And unlike the “engraving” you see on trophies or anniversary plates, this engraving is deep and obviously done by hand.
The engraving job cost me $350, and now that I’ve blogged about it I can write it off in 2010. Yes, I know you hate me for that. I hate me, too.
You are going to be seeing a lot of this tool on this blog and my blog at work so I hope you like it as much as I do.
To see more of Kennedy’s work, view her impressive woodworking resume and to discuss an engraving job with her, visit her web site at catharinekennedy.com.
— Christopher Schwarz
Christopher Schwarz you are an evil purveyor of tool porn. I’ll almost bet that once we get going with the next book you will become the studly Studley dude.
Crusty yet trusty now classy.
That’s freaking awesome.
Do you still plan on using it (and thus winning the most badass tool award) or are you keeping it as a display piece now?
I agree, you are evil! That really is awesome!
Wow! Nice, but nothing on the lever cap? I’ve always thought those early, plain jane ones screamed for something like that scroll work.
Chris,
That is just "OUTF%#*INGSTANDING"
We now return you to your regulsrly scheduled blog.
Michael
Bob,
It is — and always will be — a daily driver.
I drove it today!
Chris
Looks like WIVES AGAINST SCHWARZ will raise their ugly heads again.
Pusher…..bad…bad…pusher!…..(-:
I hate you so much right now. Now, where is my $350. . .
On a different note, I recently paid over $1200 for a tattoo, so if your wife ever does complain, be sure to let her know you got off cheap!
I’m a wife, and if I’d had that idea first it would be residing in Al’s stocking right now. Instead, his stocking is filled with shavings.
I’m tellin’ your wife!! (Great post)
Beautiful! Catharine, like a really good tattoo artist, does awesome work. I have two tattoos, but they don’t touch this.
If you do decide to argue for a tattoo, remember Billy Connolly (to paraphrase): "They are the least beige people you will ever meet."
Rainer
Beautiful! I’ve been thinking about contacting Catharine to get some toys prettied up and this does it! I’m fearing, though, that your posting that picture may make her lead time longer than some of the sawmakers, after you posted about them!
In Sandor Nagyszalanczy’s book THE ART OF FINE TOOLS, pages 178-179, are beautiful examples of engravings done on a block and jack plane by Curtis Bowden. It truly transforms an ordinary plane into something outstanding. As many of you probably know, many old gun smiths like Mr. Bowden are also fine engravers.
I’m sorry, Chris. What you have done here is wrong. Now, I have no choice but to get a plane tattooed. If I have to show up on your doorstep, demanding that we throw down and see who’s got the most boss engraving — well, you’ll have nobody to blame but Chris Schwarz.
Chris, I just had a vision of you with a tramp stamp. Not the sort of thing that is in keeping with the holiday season.
I can’t stop thinking about this and just when I thought I was pretty well set with my tools. How did you decide which plane to engrave?
Sharon Que
Sharon,
Well it relates to the book I’m writing. That’s the long answer. The short answer is that the jack plane is the single most useful and universal bench plane. It was my first bench plane. And I have immense affection for it and the work it does.
Cornball answer, I know.
Don, you finally "Get" tattoos! Welcome to the fold
Michael Sturm,
St. Paul, MN
It took me a while to dig back and find this posting and I’m glad I did, I caught a glimpse of this plane in one of the other shots on the blog and was about to e-mail you for details on who created this masterpiece. This is truly a magnificent idea. It would be great to have her engrave a matching set of planes, saws, and chisels to be housed in your tool chest. It would certainly be a close second to the master work of the Studley tool chest.