Van Camp No.2 Hand Plane

I was at an auction Saturday night and they put this really nice looking hand plane up for sale. Well I couldn't let it go so I bid on it and won it for $14.00.

Van Camp Hardware and Iron Company was incorporated in Indianapolis, IN in 1893. They were carrying things from tinnage, woodworking for carriage and wagons and guns. By the mid '50's they boasted 80,000 items for sale in their catalog. They reminded controlled by the family until 1967 when they were bought out and the name changed to Graystone and they moved to New York. In 1977 Graystone was dissolved.

Van Camp in 1906 picture is from the Indiana Historical Site

While Van Camp was operating Union was making planes for them until they were bought out by Stanley in 1920 and Stanley continued to manufacture Union Planes until 1942.

No cracks in the tote or knob and the jappaning is in pretty good shape.

7" long, the size of a No.2 hand plane.

Here it is beside a Stanley No.3.

I don't know how long Stanley may have made these for Van Camp, but since Van Camp went out of business in '77 then that would be the newest it could be.

Van Camp Logo

All in all it was a great find. Just needs a little wipe down and clean up and then some wax to preserve it. Then it will go in the display cabinet.

John Moody
Site Administratorhttp://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com
“Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.†Shaker Saying