Researching old tool makers

[8squared]

I got myself some old wooden planes, nothing special, I was just looking on ebay when I seen some for pennies so bought them... just to try my hand at cleaning them up.

One has stamped on it...

Gleave
Oldham street
Manchester

Then partially over that it has GM Frost

Also stamped is the word drummond and H Farrell.

I've looked into the company and they formed in 1833... But that is all.

Would anyone know a little more about them... Or websites that may be of help.

 

[8squared]

 

[AndyT]

Welcome to the top of a long and slippery slope!

Planes, as they were usually marked with a maker's name, have now been pretty thoroughly researched. The information about them is published in books rather than on websites.

The established standard work of reference was written by WL Goodman under the title "British Planemakers from 1700". He produced two editions, the second (1978) being much bigger than the first (1968).

A fresh revision was published in 1993 as the 3rd edition, compiled by Jane and Mark Rees. It is the go-to book for information on plane makers. Unfortunately, it's out of print. It's also sought after by collectors so second hand copies are not cheap.

Jane Rees is working on a fourth edition but there is no publication date yet.

As for Gleave and company, the third edition confirms that Joseph Gleave was working as a planemaker in Manchester from 1832 and was at Oldham Street from 1854 to 1868 and (as Joseph Gleave & Son) from 1868 to 1913.

In this case, the company is still in business as an industrial supplier - though no longer selling planes.

See http://www.gleave.co.uk/ which still features this image of an old billhead:

 

[Cheshirechappie]

Can't add anything of use to what Andy's already posted, except that Gleave's had a shop on the Piccadilly Station approach in Manchester in the early 1980s, but they've since moved out to an industrial unit in the suburbs somewhere.

Messrs. Drummond, Farrell and Frost are the stamps of former owners.

 

[8squared]

I did come across the gleave website but as its commercial looking I thought it was a different company but with the same name... So didn't look, shall get in touch with them and see what info they can provide.

Would be good to get some pictures and find more about Mr gleave.

I did suspect the other names were owners as there not uniform... and placed anywhere.

So I'm pleasently surprised to have it being as old as it is, I doubt I shall be doing anything with it other than putting on a shelve to look at.

I attend car boot sales and see many wooden planes but never paid attention... I will be from now on I'm not looking at collecting but if I see any and they want a hone I'll be more than happy to have them.


This one was just plain till I cleaned it up and after some sharpening I gave it a try and although the shavings are a little thick its lovely and smooth... Just needs adjusting and me some practice.