Wife's dad used to do a bit of genealogy research which often involved looking over old last will and testaments. Apparently common hand tools were prized and valued possessions back in the old days as each tool was included and itemized by detailed description separately in wills with names of who was supposed inherit what tool.
I can believe that. I collect antique woodworking tools. I have a pretty good collection of tools that can and do get used. The mark of a "True Carpenter " was a Plow Block Plane. If he had one in his tools, you KNEW he was a true professional. Nowadays, we would use a dado blade, table saw or router for the same job. A Plaw Block Plane is used to cut a preset groove a preset distance from the edge of a piece of wood. It was used to set the bottoms of drawers, in cabinet making. (I have one)
