If you’re into antique woodworking tools, you might be surprised at how valuable some of them are. Old tools can be more than just collectibles—they can be worth a lot of money.
Whether they’re made of special materials, have rare designs, or carry interesting histories, these tools are treasures that collectors are willing to pay top dollar for.
So, if you’ve got one of these tools lying around, you might be sitting on a small fortune!
1. Norris Jointing Plane
Price: Ranges from $1,600 to $10,000 (depending on the length: 20½” to 28½”) (ref)
Crafted by the Norris company in England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this plane, with its longer body (up to 28½ inches), helps you get perfectly straight edges, which is essential for joint work.
Norris planes are often made from cast iron or steel and have an iron adjuster that allows for very fine control. They’re popular among collectors because of their craftsmanship, rarity, and the Norris reputation for top-quality tools.
2. Nicholson Plow Plane
Price: About $2,965 (ref)
Made by Francis Nicholson with roots in the 18th century, America’s first professional plane maker, this plow plane is used to cut grooves in wood, especially for joints. Nicholson planes are known for their craftsmanship and simplicity, often crafted from beautiful woods like beech or cherry.
The plane has an adjustable fence and a sturdy design that makes it both functional and beautiful. Collectors value it for its history as one of the earliest examples of American woodworking tools.
3. Tidey Patent Beveling Plane
Price: Around $11,995 (ref)
It was designed by the inventor Edward Tidey in the 19th century and is known for its complex mechanism that allows you to adjust the bevel angle precisely, which is great for complex woodworking tasks.
This plane is made of brass and iron, with intricate, moving parts. Because of its rarity and distinctive design, it’s a prized piece for collectors who value innovative toolmaking history.
4. Cesar Chelor Plane
Price: Between $6,000 and $8,000 (ref)
Cesar Chelor was one of America’s earliest and most respected African American toolmakers, and his planes are highly sought after. These planes, typically crafted from beech or other hardwoods, were made in the mid-1700s.
A Chelor plane often has a simple yet elegant design, featuring hand-carved details and a sturdy build. Collectors value it not only for its functionality and beauty but also as a piece of American history.
5. Gunmetal Miller Patent No. 50 Gunmetal Plow Plane
Price: Around $12,495 (ref)
Made in the late 19th century by the Stanley Rule & Level Company, this plow plane is crafted from durable gunmetal (a bronze alloy). It was designed to cut grooves in wood for joints and has an adjustable fence, making it both practical and beautiful.
Collectors appreciate the Miller Patent planes for their craftsmanship and rarity, as well as the decorative details that set them apart from other planes of their time.
6. Carpenter Patent Plow Plane in Boxwood & Rosewood
Price: Around $4,595 (ref)
The Carpenter Patent Plow Plane, made from boxwood and rosewood, combines function with beauty. Known for its smooth, light-colored boxwood and dark rosewood handle, this plane is designed for cutting precise grooves in wood.
It also features an adjustable fence and a metal blade that can be fine-tuned for accuracy. The tool’s design, crafted in the 1800s, was patented by inventor William W. Carpenter. Collectors and woodworkers alike value this plow plane for its fine materials and well-balanced design.
7. Miller’s Patent Plane No. 42 Gunmetal Ornate Plow Plane
Price: About $2,400 (ref)
Another Stanley creation, the Miller Patent No. 42 Gunmetal Ornate Plow Plane, is a highly decorative and functional tool. Like the No. 50, it’s made from sturdy gunmetal, which resists wear over time.
Its ornate design, with detailed scrollwork and an elegant handle, makes it a collector’s favorite. The No. 42 is slightly less rare than the No. 50 but is still highly valued for its craftsmanship and design. This plane is perfect if you’re looking for a tool with historical charm that also performs well.
8. Stanley Smooth Plane
Price: Ranges from $225 to $1,795 or more, depending on condition and rarity (ref)
The Stanley Smooth Plane was made by the famous Stanley Works, which bought Stanley Rule & Level in 1920 and ran it as its hand tool division for many years. It is a classic, reliable hand plane for smoothing wood surfaces made from cast iron with a wooden handle and a compact, easy-to-grip design.
Stanley smooth planes come in several models, with early and rare versions fetching higher prices. The Stanley name has been associated with quality tools for over a century. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a serious collector, the Stanley Smooth Plane is valued for both its function and its historical place in woodworking.
9. John Deere Wrench
Price: Around $15,000 at an auction (ref)
Not your typical woodworking tool, this wrench was made by John Deere, a company best known for its farming equipment. Its value comes from its rarity and the fact that it was made by such a well-known brand.
Collectors pay a high price at auctions for this wrench because of its connection to John Deere history. If you’re into antique tools with an interesting backstory, this wrench is a rare piece that would stand out in any collection.
10. Bailey Vertical Post Smooth Plane
Price: About $1,795 (ref)
It was created by Leonard Bailey, an innovator in hand tools whose designs later became the foundation of many Stanley planes. This smooth plane features a vertical post adjustment, which makes it easy to fine-tune the blade depth for precision.
Bailey planes are valued by both collectors and woodworkers for their quality and clever design, and this particular model is a great piece of hand tool history.
11. Sandusky Ebony & Ivory Plow Plane
Price: Scored a record $513,884 at the Brown 25th International Tool Auction in 2005 (ref)
Crafted by the Sandusky Tool Company in the 1800s, this plane is made from luxurious ebony wood and features stunning ivory inlays. It’s designed for cutting grooves (or “plows”) into wood, but what really makes it special is the rare materials and intricate craftsmanship.
In 2005, it set a record by selling for over half a million dollars at auction, showing just how highly prized it is among collectors. If you ever see a Sandusky Ebony & Ivory Plow Plane, you’re looking at a true masterpiece of antique woodworking tools.
This item pictured above sold for $3,995.00. (ref)
12. Vandergrift Patent Inclinometer Level
Price: About $4,795 (ref)
Patented by the Patent Level Company in 1866, it features an inclinometer that allows you to set and measure inclines and angles accurately.
This level is a sought-after collector’s piece due to its design and the fact that few remain today. If you appreciate historical engineering in tools, this level offers both a functional and decorative value.
13. Rodiers Patent Jack Plane
Price: Starts at $1,055 (ref)
The Rodiers Patent Jack Plane, made by inventor Louis C. Rodiers, is known for its innovative design that improved the standard jack plane.
This tool has uncommon adjustments that make it easier to set the blade depth and alignment, which can help you get a smoother finish on wood surfaces. If you’re looking for a classic plane with historical value, the Rodiers Patent Jack Plane is a solid choice.
14. E. Duffy Inclinometer Level & Mantle Clock
Price: Around $5,100 (ref)
This unusual design with an interesting twist, created by Edward Duffy, was likely meant to make the level more useful as a multi-functional tool—it combines a level with a mantle clock.
The clock adds a touch of style, making it a collector’s favorite due to its blend of practicality and decor. With its distinct design and rarity, this inclinometer level is a standout piece that appeals to both tool and clock collectors.
15. Lamb & Brownell Rosewood & Boxwood Plow Plane
Price: Around $3,750 (ref)
The body of the plane is a true work of art crafted from rich, dark rosewood with striking grain patterns. The fence has a section of lighter sapwood and is capped with rich, creamy boxwood.
Previously owned by Don Rosebrook, a legendary collector, this plane has been appreciated by collectors and woodworkers for generations. Owning a plane like this is more than just having a tool; it’s like holding a piece of history that’s been treasured by each of its owners.
If you have any of these tools, or you’re lucky enough to find one, you could make a good profit. Collectors are always on the lookout for pieces like these, so don’t underestimate what an old tool could be worth!
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.