T. NORRIS & SONS OF LONDON

Norris Bullnose Plane - No. 27

Note the texture on the sides of the plane where abrasive paper was rubbed to give a crisp linear matte finish. It also should be noted that the choice of rosewood or ebony for any visible wood was not an extravagance, just a typical choice of wood used for tools. However, inside the tool under the blade is a beech insert. Beech was another less expensive wood that was commonly used for plane bodies. But, it is not known whether beech was used because it was less expensive and easier to work than rosewood or simply more suited to this application. Get a closer view of the object (70KB) View details of the object (42KB)

Norris Shoulder Plane - No. 20E
	Even after the invention of woodworking machinery when most of the specialized planes lost their place of absolute necessity the shoulder plane retained it's essential place in the workshop as a master tool for correcting and tuning. This particular example is a little used late example of the highest grade tool Norris made. Get a closer view of the object (63KB)

Norris Shoulder Plane - No. A7
	In the last throes of the Norris company's existence, the company offered for sale adjustable versions of most of their shoulder and bullnose planes. As the tools were not offered until the end of the company's life and cost more than the non-adjustable, these planes were never sold in great quantity. However, the mechanism is ingenious and worthy of note. Get a closer view of the object (51KB) View details of the object (52KB)
	Norris understood the importance of keeping the wooden wedge as a blade clamp and damper against blade vibration. Once the wedge is inserted it is tightened in place with a screw that bears onto a bronze insert to prevent it from marking the wedge. Get a closer view of the object (82KB)
	The adjuster is a modified version of the double thread system that Norris had used successfully since 1913 on their various bench planes. A short post that sticks out from the adjuster engages a hole in the blade. Multiple holes drilled in the blade are for adjustment as the blade wears. Get a closer view of the object (32KB)

Detail of a Norris Bronze Shoulder Plane showing Assembly numbers

Traditional tool makers made their tools by hand. This accounts for the diversity of sizes and shapes within each style of tool. While there was a good deal of specialization in toolmaking, the final mating of the parts of a plane were done by a single craftsman. The cutter seat was filed to ensure that the blade lay flat. The body and wedge were shaped so that the wedge precisely fitted the plane body and locked the blade. Then the casting, blade, and wedge were stamped with the same number to ensure that once fitted they could be reassembled after final polishing and lacquering. Get a closer view of the object (73KB)

Detail of a Norris Bronze Shoulder Plane showing the narrow mouth

The key in producing a top-notch plane has always been in forming (among other attributes) a fine mouth. This is where the metal plane has always outshone its wooden ancestor. With the blade sitting bevel up, the plane body can provide support almost up to the cutting edge. This is essential for truly fine work and fine shavings. In many lower grade tools and in many tools that have either been worn out from use or modified by owners who wanted thicker, faster shavings the mouth of the plane has been widened. Mouths of Norris planes vary (possibly depending on the skill of the particular craftsman who made the plane) but the mouth of this particular plane, which is pretty much in factory condition, is particularly fine. It is shown in comparison to the mouth of a Preston 1" shoulder plane, the example that is displayed below. In examination of many specimens the mouth of a Norris shoulder plane were always fine except, of course, in the case of owner neglect. Mouths of Preston planes seem to vary from the very fine (but not as fine as Norris) to the really wide and yawning. Get a closer view of the object (211KB)

Copyright 1999 01 Inc., NYC