Amongst my matched hollows & rounds moulding planes I have a pair originating from the workshop of Summers Varvill.
About the Varvill family of Planemakers
In its entirety, the Varvill family stood as the largest among York’s planemakers and arguably counted among the most prolific nationally.
Summers Varvill, eldest son of Michael Varvill, commenced a planemaking venture in 1793. By 1829, this enterprise bore the name Varvill & Sons. However, Summers and his brother Fraser opted for an independent path in June 1838. By 1840, Summers Varvill established his own enterprise at Ebor Works on North Street, York, where operations continued until 1867. Summers passed away in 1862, after which his wife, Mary, sustained the firm until its eventual incorporation into Robert Varvill & Son.
Robert Varvill, another of Michael’s sons and an ironmonger by trade, integrated the planemaking enterprise a few years subsequent to Summers’ death. Following Robert’s demise in 1885, management of the business fell to his sons, John and Michael. By 1900, the business faced receivership, leading to the partial sale of its assets. Subsequent evidence suggests that the planemaking business was later acquired by E.A. Greenslade.
(with thanks to Jane Rees, Goodman’s British Planemakers 4th Edition, 2020, Astragal Press & to the Ginnels, Gates & Ghosts website)
Hollows & Rounds
Hollows & rounds were the most common molding planes and could be made to serve a variety of purposes. They cut a cross-section of a circular arc. The radius of that arc is reflected in the numbering & size of the blade.
Typically molding planes are named after the profile they cut. However hollows and rounds are different. A hollow has a hollow sole and makes a convex cut (i.e. a round). A round has a convex sole and cuts a hollow. So the naming convention is the reverse of most molding planes.
Hollows and rounds were often listed for sale in pairs. British made planes seem to follow a set of 18 sizes ranging from a width (& radius) of 1/8 in. to 1 1/2 in.
(with thanks to John M. Whelan, The Wooden Plane its History, Form and Function,1993, Astragal Press)
Summers Varvill – Size 14 Hollow (1840-1862)
Size 14 hollows have a radius & width of 1 in. The arc cut is approximately 16% of the circumference of a circle.
The plane itself is in great condition. Two previous owners stamped their mark on it.
Varvill (Robert) & Sons – Size 14 Round (1867-1904)
The radius & width are the same as for the hollow.
There are also 2 owners stamps on this plane – but different ones from the hollow.
The fact that the lanes passed the different ownership and come from 2 different periods in the company would suggest that they weren’t bought as a pair. It might just be by chance that they eventually found themselves together in the one toolbox.
Truth in Advertising?
Note the comments about Sheffield Tools in this advertisement.
I wonder if you would get away with it in today’s world?