Replies

1. 
   mapleman | Aug 26, 2006 07:01am | #1

   GB,

   Yeah, I think VTAndy bought it.

   Lee

2. 
   Ipanema | Aug 26, 2006 07:46am | #2

   To put speculation to rest, a fine woodworker bought the plane and intends to use it in his own work. He is very happy. Here's hoping that no one posts insolent comments about him and that hand tools members can move on to concrete matters :-)

   
   

   ---

   Edited 8/26/2006 1:01 am ET by Ipanema

1. 
   dgreen | Aug 26, 2006 10:32am | #3

   Unfortunately your unsubstantiated assertion does not put the speculation to rest. The buyer has a fairly substantial record of apparently buying and reselling tools on e-bay, the seller claims to know nothing of krenov planes and admits he did not even know it was not a Hock blade in it. He does make an entirely unsubstantiated claim that the unknown blade that is actually in it is of the "highest quality". Further muddying the picture is the fact that the seller is also selling a set of bags for a BMW k1200rs. Does that k1200rs look familiar? It is also the name of the poster who was new to the forum (yesterday type new) and has not been heard from prior or since. This poster was one of the more rabid defenders of the JK mystique. Coincidence? Maybe. Or is it possible it was a shill to keep the percieved value of the mystique and therefore the value of the plane from taking a hit before the sale? I don't know but as Alice said it gets curioser and curioser. It is entirely possible that the buyer is a fine woodworker who intends to use the plane and just happens to buy and sell a lot of tools on ebay but your assertion is not very convincing. An interesting puzzle that is not going to go away just because you wish it to. Another question that begs answering is where did this non woodworker who says he knows nothing about planes manage to aqquire it and how did he come to know that this fairly crude object with an orange blade was made by krenov? Inquiring minds want to know.
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

1. 
   derekcohen | Aug 26, 2006 10:51am | #4

   Of interest, JK's website states "Although JK's health is good he is having trouble with his eyes and will not be able to continue making his cabinets. He is currently enjoying the process of building, by creating hand-planes. He is using the methods he has always employed although without the help of clear vision he is working by feel and his intuitive knowledge. One of JK’s wood-planes is now being offered for sale on eBay"

   http://jameskrenov.com/current_work.htm

   This appears to ratify the authenticity of the plane. One might also infer from this notice that JK is now making and selling planes.

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

1. 
   dgreen | Aug 26, 2006 12:12pm | #5

   Hi Derek;

   I did take note of that and was not doubting the authenticity, I thought it very unlikely he would mention the plane on his site unless he had made it.

   I also think it is reasonable to infer that he is making and selling planes.

   One has to wonder why he does not put them on e-bay himself and collect the full amount the plane brings at auction. It is concievable that he has no desire to do so and would rather sell them face to face. I don't know.

   It seemed unlikely that a non woodworker who says he knows nothing about planes would buy one from him and even less likely he would know what he had. I don't know if you followed the deleted thread or not but  k1200rs possible relationship to the seller  and she and ipanemas intimating inside knowledge and the timing of their appearance on the forum and their manner in posting along with what little I could glean about the buyer and seller has aroused my curiosity. Too much smoke to not check for fire. Just curious.

   Don

   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

   Edited 8/26/2006 5:15 am by dgreen

   Edited 8/26/2006 5:21 am by dgreen

2. 
   VTAndy | Aug 26, 2006 06:59pm | #6

   Hi Derek,I agree. It's probably a friend or family member who is selling the plane on eBay for JK. The website appears to be run by someone for him as well. I think it's sad that anyone would be mean-spirited enough to believe that there is foul-play at stake, and it seems absurd that anyone would think that JK and associates would be drumming up "Knots" for bidders. But it doesn't surprise me after seeing how ungenerous some of the "critics" were toward your reviews earlier this year. Whoever those JK students on the disappeared thread were, they appear to have used new user IDs here in order to protect themselves from the personal attacks that continue in this thread and the thread "in memorium."

   It is extraordinary that JK chose to sell the plane on eBay rather than through a gallery or already established connections. However, eBay appears to have been a way for JK and friends to get an idea of the value of the planes that JK made and is still making. It will be interesting to see whether they continue to sell on eBay or seek other routes.
   -Andy

1. 
   chuckh | Aug 26, 2006 09:43pm | #7

   I believe the answers to the identity of and motive of the person assisting JK are contained on the ebay site.  Here is one of the QAs that appeared on the site where he identifies himself as JK's son-in-law:

   Question & Answer

   Answered On View Image

   View Image

   View Image

   View Image

   Q:

   Before bidding, would it be possible for the seller to confirm that JK will establish provenance for the item.

   Aug-22-06View Image

   View Image

   View Image

   A:

   The plane being offered is one from JK's personal tools. If you go to his website: jameskrenov.com you will find a link to this eBay auction on the 'Current Work' page. He is out of town this week for eye surgury but should be home before the close of this auction. Again he will authenticate with a signature or letter or both. Thanks, and good luck, Dave (JK's son-in-law)

    

   In a revision to the ebay site Dave posted a link to an additional picture of the plane:  Additional picture at: http://www.kopia.us/plane.htm

   If you go to the site  http://www.kopia.us  you'll find it is a site for a web designer by the name of Dave Matthews.  The same Dave?  I would guess, yes.

   The ebay Dave I assume is also "cleonite" who has sold at least 26 items on ebay since '02.  So he's no stranger to selling there. 

   I have no idea who the girl was who suddenly appeared and touched off the firestorm.  Maybe Mrs. Matthews? 

    

2. 
   AB | Aug 27, 2006 12:51am | #9

   Wow Dave Mathews is JKs son in law. Do you think they will tour?LOL

3. 
   mapleman | Aug 27, 2006 03:27am | #10

   AB,

   I believe there are 3 confirmed dates on Ozzfest this year.

   Lee

2. 
   mapleman | Aug 26, 2006 09:49pm | #8

   Don,

   Hat's off to you for the extremely sharp detective work! I did see the bags for sale on ebay by the seller, but It was 3 or 4 days before k1200rs chimed in on the forum and I didn't put 2 & 2 together. Interesting Ipanema didn't exist on the forum until August 24th, and he/she just so happens to know the buyer of the plane. This looks like an elaborate shill indeed.  I was curious abouth the orange blade as well, as I have a couple of Hock blades and none were painted when I received them. I didn't get a chance to bring that up before the kindergarteners had the thread removed.  This is getting very interesting

   Lee

3. 
   TinaK | Aug 30, 2006 07:15am | #11

   Sigh... It seems to me that nothing about this needs to be mysterious or unsubstantiated. If you truly want to know more about the plane and the auction, why don't you simply email JK at his website? The seller clearly states on the auction site that he is JK's son-in-law. You can substantiate that as well by contacting JK. He is in the phone book if you prefer that method of investigation. Sometimes a plane is just a plane... And let me clarify--not an airplane in this case.

1. 
   chuckh | Aug 30, 2006 07:48pm | #12

   Well I for one am happy to see that the auction was a success.  This is just one validation of his life's work; something few of us will ever have.  I feel that Mr Krenov's handplanes are as much a part of his legacy as is the furniture he built with them. 

   If you don't mind my asking, what is your relationship with Mr. Krenov?  Are you in fact his daughter?  If so, perhaps you will answer another question for me.  In one of Mr. Krenov'a books there is a photograph of a young girl, perhaps 2-3 years old, kneeling on a table top pushing a handplane.  I don't recall a caption with that photo and I often wondered if that was one of his children.  Are you that young girl in the picture?

   And if you will (can) indulge me, when might we see another handplane go up for auction?

   Regards,

   -Chuck

    

    

1. 
   christheo | Aug 31, 2006 07:19am | #13

   chuckh,I'm a newbie's newbie, but I've got the bug. This and the other discussion introduced me to James Krenov, and I've bought two of his books, the third on order.There is a delightful photograph of a young child pushing a handplane in David Finck's book, Making and Mastering Wood Planes (intro by Krenov). It's the first photo in this book, and the caption reads, Ledah, age 3 1/2, planing a cherry tabletop.

2. 
   chuckh | Aug 31, 2006 07:43pm | #14

   Welcome to Knots and woodworking in general.  I too am a newbie of 30+ years; learning all the time.  You've landed in a good place to learn about this hobby, just don't let most of what you see frustrate you.  The work done by some of these guys, you'd swear they sold their soul to the devil.  Just keep telling yourself, I am worthy, I am worthy, and practice, practice, practice.

   You have picked good inspiration with James Krenov.  Personally my taste in furniture is a couple of centuries prior to him, but he has always been a source of inspiration.

   Thanks for the info on the photograph.  I couldn't recall the caption.  Now the question: Who is Ledah; daughter, granddaughter, niece, daughter of a friend?

   Regards,

   -Chuck