Replies

1. 
   noviceneil | Apr 24, 2007 07:22pm | #1

   Blue Spruce Tools comes immediately to mind, a single person operation that makes great marking knives and dovetail chisels. Wenzloff and Sons make wonderful saws, Both, I believe, would qualify for your list.

   Neil

2. 
   MikeHennessy | Apr 24, 2007 08:08pm | #2

   Knight Toolworks (wooden planes).

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA

1. 
   user-199510 | Apr 24, 2007 08:22pm | #3

   Mike and Noviceneil:

   Thanks.  All three are good.  Keep 'em coming, all.

    

   Charlie

1. 
   noviceneil | Jun 22, 2007 12:07am | #4

   Charlie,

   I ran across this post and noticed that no one added to your list. I have some more if you still need listings.

   Neil 

3. 
   BruceS | Jun 22, 2007 04:29am | #5

   Check out http://www.warthers.com    A third generation of kitchen and carving knife makers.  Ernest Warther, Carver was the founder.  A small Dover OH. company using all USA material.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

   
   

   ---

   Edited 6/21/2007 9:31 pm ET by BruceS

4. 
   mwenz | Jun 22, 2007 04:47am | #6

   First time I have seen this thread.

   You can add:

   Clark & Williams
   http://www.planemaker.com/

   Chester Toolworks
   http://www.chestertoolworks.com/

   Konrad Sauer
   http://www.sauerandsteiner.com/

   Take care, Mike

1. 
   user-199510 | Jun 22, 2007 03:44pm | #7

   Hey, thanks for picking up on this again. By all means, please do let me know of any good tool makers out there. I'm still taking names (and kicking butt).

   Charlie

1. 
   noviceneil | Jun 22, 2007 05:27pm | #8

   OK, here goes:

   Kansas City Tool Works

   Woodjoy Tools

   Bowclamp

   Holtey Classic Planes

   Gerde Fritsche, Traditional Planemaker

   Colen Clenton

   HNT Gordon & Co

   Old Cedar Forge, Ltd

   Hock Tool

   St James Bay

   Cape Forge

   Bridge City Tool Works

1. 
   philip | Jun 23, 2007 12:10pm | #9

   Man, you are not looking: right here, on this very forum, right under your nose, there are bespoke saw makers and plane makers.....Philip Marcou

1. 
   noviceneil | Jun 23, 2007 02:23pm | #10

   Philip,

   I'm sorry. I did list Wenzloff and Sons but that was before I realized Mike contributed to this forum. I own a couple of his saws. I just assumed, perhaps wrongly, that Charlie already knew about you and your incredible planes as well as those of Mr Brese. Are there others that I don't know about?

   Neil

2. 
   mwenz | Jun 23, 2007 05:54pm | #11

   "By small-sized, I mean the operation itself, not the tools (or the tool-maker, for that matter). In other words, not a well-known shop that produces a large, established line of tools. All responses will be appreciated."Was and remains a question to me as to the direction to contribute names.It was after my post that I really read the above with a little thought. Where does one draw the line as to what names to include?For instance, we are a small business being that currently is just myself and two sons. In August or September we will move into larger space and two more people will join us, with probably more sometime down the road.At what point are we no longer "small-sized"?As well, we sell through a company many of the saws (The Best Things). It is a "line" and is "established." Too, there is another retailer (larger) who will in all likelihood be carrying our saws in the near future. Is there a point where the quantity of yearly product is a cut-off for the above inquiry? We might surpass 3000 saws this year. Is that (or more/less) what is meant by "large"?Take care, Mike
   who needs to go back to work...

3. 
   Lataxe | Jun 23, 2007 06:30pm | #12

   Mike,

   Your post prompted me to ask a question of everyone, really,  concerning Bridge City Toos.  Aside from their website and a mention or two from Christopher Schwartz, it is difficult to find any (independent) information about them.

   Also, their marketing approach puts me off, rather - all that Founder Member bollocks.

   Are there any BCT owners out there on Knots who would be willing to relate their experiences with the tools?  Aside from a FWW test that include a BCT square, I can find no independent reviews.....?

   Lataxe

4. 
   mwenz | Jun 23, 2007 07:35pm | #13

   Hey Master L,LN asked if I would be interested in setting up shop at a couple of their Hand Tool Events, and so with such a gracious offer, how could I not attend at least the Portland one?Also in attendance was John Economaki and BCT. I had opportunity (as did everyone else who was there) to play with some of their planes. They work as described. That is, very well. Extremely well made. For me, perhaps too well engineered, which translates out to a bit too fussy for me.Not a review at all. In a real-world shop they wouldn't be given much consideration simply because of the gizmosity factor. Want a 65 degree plane? Grab one. Want a low angle smoother/shooter/whatever? Grab one.But for the person who would enjoy and appreciate the incredible engineering? There are not many (if any) in the way of makers who can best John for the engineering and execution of the engineering. That they also work should appeal to the same person who would also like to use them.Now, the little HP-6 with the interchangeable soles even makes me want one. My interests concerning woodworking and associated tools has changed over the course of a few years and is heading down a decidedly late 18th/early 19th century path.* But...molding planes are a particular weakness (and plows). So who knows? One may find its way into my shop. I look at this little plane like a favorite of mine (Record 043 plows), but with the added capability of profiles.Take care, Mike*The simplicity and lack of froo froo involved in early 20th century Modern is less appealing to me than before. And I have always wanted to make some of Phyfe's furniture, as well as john/Thomas Seymour and perhaps Chippendale...<g>