Restoring a Wards Master #5 Hand Plane
Yes, a Wards Master… from Montgomery Ward. Normally one wouldn’t consider using, let alone spending their hard earned money for a tool from Montgomery Ward. Since Wards didn’t make their own tools, theirs are actually rebranded Stanley or Sargent planes. If you compare this one to a Stanley # 5, the only difference you would find is the branding on the iron and lever cap, and the tote and knob are painted black rather than stained. The rest of the plane, including the castings are as far I can tell, indistinguishable from a Stanley. It’s possible Wards skimped on the quality of steel in the blade iron to save money, but I can’t confirm that.