The journey of an E C Stearns Spokeshave

[lptools]

Hello, I am now the proud owner of an E C Stearns No. 13 Flexible Sole Spokeshave. This tool was listed in a 1924 catalog, and Stearns closed its doors here (Syracuse, NY) in 1954, so I am guessing this was manufactured somewhere between those dates. Either way, the Stearns plant was approximately 5 miles from where I was born, in Syracuse, NY.  I saw this tool in a Craigslist ad, and drove to Minoa, NY, about 12 miles from where I now live, (North Syracuse NY) , only to find that I had buy the whole garage full of tools to get this spokeshave.The tools were sold, and I tracked down the buyer. and found that the spokeshave went 20 miles north, to a town called Central Square. Once I got there , I found, to my dismay, that the spokeshave was sold to a guy named Tom, who lives in Cato, NY, about 30 miles west of where I live. Well, I only knew of one tool guy that lived in Cato, and sure enough, he had the spokeshave. I called him, and he agreed to sell the spokeshave to me at the Sunday flea. So the spokeshave is now back home, in North Syracuse, NY,  to be exact, about 15 miles from where it was made. It's a little rusty/crusty,and the brass faceplate had been painted over. I will post pics at a later date after some very careful cleaning.. Amecks, you will probably recognize the places I have mentioned. Regards, Lou

[mikeswrenches]

Maybe you should be a detective...that was a nice job of tracking it down.
The only one I have ever had I got at an antique show in Old Forge, NY some 8 or 9 yrs ago. I haven't seen one since.

Mike

[lptools]

Hello, Mike. Thanks for your reply. Luckily, I had help from all of the folks involved with the changing of hands, phone numbers, addresses, etc. Regards, Lou

[Plyerman]

Great job of tracking that one down Lou. Tools are always better when they have a good story to go with them

[Yadda]

Great job of tracking that one down Lou. Tools are always better when they have a good story to go with them

+1
:)