Fine Tool Journal Classification system with a few
of my own modifications:
Category: New
Usable:
completely
Finish:
japanning /nickel- 100%
Wood-
as manufactured
Wear:
None
Repair:
None
Rust:
Metal- no rust
Wood- surface smooth, edges
sharp
Misc:
"+" indicates original package, may also be termed
"crispy"
Category:
Fine
Usable:
completely
Finish:
japanning/nickel - 90-99%
Wood-
80%+, old finish
Wear:
Minimal
Repair:
None
Rust:
Metal- trace of rust, some dark patina OK but no cracks,
chips
Wood- surface smooth, minor
toolbox dings, edges some rounding
Misc:
Makers stamps, if present, clean and legible
Category:
Good+plus
Usable:
Yes- may need minor tuning.
Finish:
japanning/nickel - 75%-90%
Wood-
well patina appearance
Wear:
Normal
Repair:
Minor or none
Rust:
Metal- light rust./patina but no cracks, chips
Wood-
Minor surface scrapes, dings, edges good
Misc:
A few dings and scratches are OK
most
of what I sell is in the above categories
good
can go either way, but generally make excellent users
Category:
Good
Usable:
Yes- may need tuning
Finish:
japanning /nickel- 65%-75%
Wood-
Pleasing patina, may have some stains.
Wear:
Normal to moderate
Repair:
Minor but correct
Rust:
Metal- Light rust, some minor pitting but no cracks, chips
Wood-
minor chips, dings scratches
Misc:
This category represents average as-found condition
Once it gets past this point I generally
won’t bother unless it’s something exceedingly rare
and collectable
or for parts only
Category: Good-minus
Usable:
Yes, with some tuning
Finish:
japanning/nickel- 30%-65%
Wood-
Some patina, staining or discoloration
prominent
Wear:
Moderate to heavy
Repair:
Correct only
Rust:
Metal- moderate rust, moderate pitting some minor chips
Wood-
Warping, chips, dings, minor splitting
Misc:
This category could indicate a problem but still may make a decent
user
Past this point a tool will only be
usable as a parts plane…
Category:
Fair
Usable:
Probably Not
Finish:
japanning /nickel- 0%-30%
Wood- Extreme discoloration,
poor refinishing
Wear:
Excessive
Repair:
Major, improper, or missing parts welded/brazing of
the metal parts
Rust:
Metal- moderate
to heavy rust, serious pitting, broken castings/cracks
Wood- Warped, split, large
chunks out, major cracks
Misc:
Not suitable to add to a collection or as a user, may be
good for parts.
Category:
Poor
Usable:
No
Finish:
n/a
Wear:
Excessive
Repair:
Damaged, missing major parts
Rust:
Metal- heavy rust, major pitting, broken casting/cracks
Wood- rot, rough surface,
glued splits
Misc:
Only useful for parts, or raw materials for the repair
of better condition tools.
The above categories do
not include refinished planes...as a rule refinishing a plane
decreases it's value by up to 50%..unless it's graded good or
below, in which case it may increase the value of a decent user
but should be noted. Re-japanning, replacement totes, re-manufactured
parts all take away from the overall integrity and value of the
original tool..pieces and parts from the same era plane will not
decrease the value of a plane appreciably but all replacement
parts should be noted when selling.
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