Sargent block plane

[Aaron Kline]

I got a Sargent 5607 low angle knuckle joint block plane for Christmas and I want to clean it up a bit. I'd like to re japan it (with enamel paint) and just shine it up nice. Is it worth a lot of money or any collectability? Thanks

[Dan Moening]

I'm far from the expert in these things ... but from what I've gleaned from many posts is that the LA knuckle-joint planes are fairly well sought after.

Now that's not to say they are worth "alot" of money in terms of retirement :p. Most I've seen go for $50 on the average, upwards of $75. I did recently pick up an Ebay "Sargent" one for ~$25, but haven't had the chance to completely "type" it.

Would you ruin the collectibility by rejapaning it?
That would depend on the "type" and other collector factors that I'm unaware of...and leave that for the experts to weight in upon.

Is the japaning completely gone?

Gotta picture? :D

[Aaron Kline]

I hope I beat the pic police;)

[Mark Stutz]

Aaron,
I can't tell you anything about the "collectability" of that plane, but it looks great to me. Personally, I like the "patina" these old planes have, and wouldn't do anything but clean it, hone it, and use it.

[Mike Keating]

Aaron,

Is that a Sargent 507? All the 507s I have seen are rabbeting block planes and have open sides like a Stanley #10. I could be wrong and this is a very early version of the 507 before they made it with the open sides.

Mike

[Aaron Kline]

Mike,
It is a 5607 I think.

[Roger Nixon]

I'm with Mark, clean it a little, sharpen and go. I have one of these and it is a dandy little plane.
The Sargent 507 was a rabbeting block plane, equivalent to the Stanley 140.

[Mike Keating]

Sorry Aaron, I saw the 5 and th 0 and the 7 and the tunnel vision kicked in. I would clean it up and make it a user.