What Kind of Rosewood was used on Stanley Planes and Diston Saws?

Don’t forget Bolivian, Borneo, Burmese, Santos, Brazilian, and Madagascar just to name a few. :) I’m not sure what kind is used but look forward to finding out from our fellow LJs.

-- Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. -- Albert Einstein

I am not certain but I want to say I read somewhere that Stanley used either Brazilian or East Indian Rosewood.

I don’t think Disston used Rosewood at all on their saws. Fruitwoods are common for saw handles and I am pretty sure Applewood was used for the old Disston handles. I have never seen an old saw with an exotic wood handle.

-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"

”I am not certain but I want to say I read somewhere that Stanley used either Brazilian or East Indian Rosewood.”

That’s my understanding as well. And given the price of legally obtained/documented Brazilian Rosewood, if you can even find stock in the dimensions needed, EIR is likely your only choice between the two.

IIRC, Dan is correct on the Applewood for Disston saw handles. That’s not universal, but I don’t recall seeing any Disstons that look like they have rosewood.

-- "Give me your poor tools, your tired steel, your huddled masses of rust." Yep, I ripped off the Statue of Liberty. That's how I roll!

It’s sort of moot. Brazilian is banned. East Indian is ok to purchase. Cocobolo was sometimes used on totes and knobs if I remember correctly.

-- Gary Roberts, http://toolemera.com

I know Cocobolo was used on some Millers Falls. I’m not sure about Stanley, I haven’t seen any as of yet. I’m not sure if there was one kind of rosewood on Stanley. I’ve seen some wide variations. I wouldn’t be surprised if they used a few different kinds of rosewood depending on availability.

-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)

One problem is that it can be very tough to tell some rosewoods apart, particularly after finishing.

-- Gary Roberts, http://toolemera.com