Tool Profile – The Stanley Bailey no. 2C Plane

March 27, 2015 8 Comments

033 SB2C Type 8 - 1

Stanley Bailey no. 2C Smoothing Plane, Type 8 (c. 1899-1902)

The diminutive Stanley no. 2 plane has long been a collector’s favorite, second only to the tiny no. 1 in its appeal among bench planes. Produced from 1869 to 1961 and measuring just 7 inches long with a 1-5/8″ iron, this smoothing plane is useful for working smaller pieces or in confined spaces.

The corrugated version of the no. 2, designated the no. 2C, was never a popular model. Although offered from 1898 to 1943, comparably few were actually produced, making this one of the rarest of Stanley planes. The corrugations were provided to help reduce friction. Whether or not they actually help, or were a marketing gimmick, is debatable, but the feature was more popular on the larger bench planes than on the no. 2.

033 SB2C Type 8 - 5

The corrugated sole of the rare Stanley no. 2C

The no. 2C shown here is part of my personal collection and is currently offered for sale for a limited time.

Filed under Hand Planes, Tools Tagged with , , , , ,

About Bryant
Bryant is a business management and organizational development executive with over 20 years’ experience focused on financial and operational efficiencies, talent development and optimization, improved employee engagement, and cultural alignment of teams within the organization. He has diverse experience in successful financial and strategic planning, brand management, leadership analysis and talent development, as well as designing and executing improvements to teams’ cultural efficacy and organizational alignment. Bryant has experience in both International Public S&P 500 Corporate and Non-Profit Sectors, and also runs his own entrepreneurial business venture, a consulting company specializing in helping small businesses and organizations improve operational efficiency, leadership development, and employee engagement . Bryant holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelors in Fine Arts (BFA).

8 Responses to Tool Profile – The Stanley Bailey no. 2C Plane

  1. Kinderhook88 says:
    March 27, 2015 at 3:07 pm

    I thought I read somewhere that the corrugations were meant to make flattening the sole easier.

    Like

    Reply
    • Bryant says:
      March 27, 2015 at 3:47 pm

      While they do make flattening the sole somewhat easier due to the reduced surface area, that wasn’t the intended reasoning behind Stanley’s decision to offer corrugated soles.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. jazzersten says:
    January 17, 2016 at 11:39 am

    On the 2C by Stanley, did it have a plain lever cap or the Stanley logo? Perhaps it depends on the year produced? My Stanley 602 has “Bedrock” on the lever cap. How much is your 2C if you can say?

    Like

    Reply
  3. Steven says:
    November 20, 2018 at 6:31 pm

    Stanley rule and level 1876 plane number 122. It has a liberty Bell on the clamp. New Britain Conn. And an eagle. Stanley rule level blade . Would you have any information on it. It’s a transition plane. Owned by G.Carlson.

    Like

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    July 10, 2021 at 12:24 am

    ring me please 0414 324 101 i wanted to buy that 2c

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment