Slater Shoulder Plane With Ebony Rhino Horn Infill

A slightly different style of infill shoulder plane by Slater of Clerkenwell. While the malleable iron body shell is of the standard Slater pattern, it’s the infill which is a bit different. Firstly it’s made from ebony instead of the usual Brazilian rosewood. The other difference is that it features a “rhino horn” design, which is not that common in a Slater plane.

While other makers occasionally made shoulder planes with rhino horns (most notably G. Miller in later years), they were always somewhat of a rarity for the established makers of the late 19th century. No-one knows for sure, but it seems likely that the origins of the rhino horn stem from planes of the 16th and 17th century, as well as Dutch style wooden planes.

It’s interesting to note that planemaking, as a formal trade, appeared in Holland some 100 years or so before it did in Britain, and it is believed that the Dutch exported many planes to other nations over that period, including Britain. Indeed the planes recovered from the British warship the Mary Rose, which sank in 1545, arguably feature similar-styled Dutch designs. Prior to that, British cabinetmakers would, if the need arose, make their own planes as they needed them — especially in the case of molding planes. As cabinetmakers in Britain were mainly using oak in their work there was usually no need for such “refined” planes. It wasn’t until the Great Fire Of London in 1666 that planemaking in Britain began to accelerate as a formal and recognised trade.

But back to the Slater. There’s not that much more to say except that the heel of the plane is stamped “H. SLATER, MEREDITH ST, CLERKENWELL, LONDON, M”, the “M” denoting that it has been made from malleable iron which is rather more durable than ordinary cast iron. The body is 8″ long by 1 1/2″ wide.

The wedge and the infill appears to be in very good condition for its age, as is the metalwork.

In all a very nice plane and a rarity for Slater.

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