Reply by HorizontalMike

I hear you Charlie, I am readily beginning to fear anything over $25-50 on these planes. My current purchase was $26 +sh for a Sargent 418VBM. I have an older 418, so I wanted one to refurb “like Charlie did.” Your fault, but it was/is fun. Did the electrolysis thing and painted yesterday. Still coating the tote and knob a couple more times and then done! Already sliced my thumb open today on the blade after scary-sharpening it. Thank god for super-glue!

I am hoping that this thread can put together some information/tips on identifying hand planes (my interest is Sargent) for all the non-Stanley planes that are out there. It seems that there is a ton of stuff for Stanley and nothing (or very little) on their competitors when it comes to what is out there and what to look for, etc.

-- HorizontalMike -- "Woodpeckers understand..."