What Makes a Bedrock?
The Bedrock series (produced 1898–1943) is Stanley's premium alternative to the Bailey line. The critical difference is the frog mounting: the Bailey frog rests on a small machined area, while the Bedrock frog has its entire bottom machined flat, mating with a corresponding full-width area in the bottom casting. This provides a more rigid, stable frog that cannot chatter. A broad flat tongue on the frog fits into a groove in the casting for self-centering.
Starting in 1911 (Edmund Schade's patent), Bedrock planes added two clamping screws flanking the frog adjustment screw, allowing the frog to be moved and repositioned without removing the lever cap. Bedrock planes also have flat sides (after ~1910) rather than the Bailey's rounded sides, and were priced at a premium over Bailey equivalents.
Bedrock planes share the same iron, cap iron, knob, tote, and lever cap as Bailey planes of the same era. Only the frog and bed casting differ significantly.
Model Numbers
Bedrock planes follow the 600-series numbering. A #602 is the Bedrock equivalent of the Bailey #2, a #604 mirrors the #4, and so on through #608. The ½ and C suffixes work identically: #604½ is a wide smoother, #606C has a corrugated sole.
Collector Value
Bedrocks command a consistent premium over equivalent Bailey planes at every condition grade. The #602 smoother is particularly sought-after, with fine examples exceeding $1,000. Even user-grade Bedrocks typically sell above comparable Bailey equivalents.
Bailey Relationship
Because Bedrocks share so many parts with Baileys, the Bedrock type study closely mirrors the Bailey one. Trademark stamps, lateral lever styles, and handle materials track in parallel, so consult the trademark stamps and Bailey type study on the main page for cross-reference.
Production End
Wartime material restrictions ended the Bedrock line in 1943. Type 12 (the final year) has maple hardwood handles and no brass components. Stanley never revived the series after the war, making all Bedrocks vintage collectibles by definition.
Production Timeline
45 years of Bedrock production across 12 manufacturing types, 1898–1943.
Bedrock Type Study — All 12 Types
Twelve manufacturing types spanning 1898–1943. Each type reflects a distinct set of features; use multiple markers together to confirm a type.
Type 1 1898 Early (1898–1910)
Low knobs. Beds marked with Bailey model numbers (Nos. 2–8). Factory-milled space below patent date. Single S casting mark; B marks on frogs and lever caps. Lever caps marked "STANLEY R & L CO…BED ROCK". Lateral lever carries two patent dates: 10-21-84 and 7-24-88. Q trademark stamp on most irons.
Type 2 1899 Early (1898–1910)
Lateral lever shows "7-24-88" as only patent date.
Type 2a 1898–1899 Early (1898–1910)
Only Models 603 and 604 beds marked "No. 60x" , creating a distinct sub-variant within this period.
Type 3 1900–1908 Early (1898–1910)
All beds now marked with 600-series numbers (No. 602–608). No milled space below patent marking. B casting marks retained. Some frogs feature nickel-plating on machined surfaces.
Type 4 1908–1910 Early (1898–1910)
B casting marks disappear. Lateral lever patent dates removed. Lever caps now marked "STANLEY….BED ROCK". Irons transition from S to T trademark stamps.
Type 5 1911 Schade Era (1911–1922)
High knobs introduced with flat-top sides (first appearance). Beds marked "BED ROCK" in addition to 600 numbers. Two patent dates behind frog: APR. 2. 95 and APR. 19. 10. Raised knob receiver. Frog attachment pins with set screws (Schade patent). T trademark on irons.
Type 6 1912–1921 Schade Era (1911–1922)
Lever caps now marked "BED ROCK" only (Stanley removed). V or X trademark stamps on irons.
Type 6a 1922 Schade Era (1911–1922)
1¼" diameter frog adjustment wheel introduced. Y trademark stamp on irons.
Type 7 1923–1926 Sweetheart (1923–1930)
Single patent date visible. Lever caps marked "STANLEY" only in notched rectangular logo. AA trademark stamp on irons.
Type 8 1927–1930 Sweetheart (1923–1930)
Bed stamped "MADE IN USA" in addition to one patent date. Knob receiver boss becomes cupped for improved fit.
Type 9 1931–1932 Depression Era (1931–1941)
Beds no longer have patent date, showing "MADE IN U.S.A." only. Some lever caps feature nickel plating with orange paint.
Type 10 1933–1941 Depression Era (1931–1941)
Raised handle receivers on Nos. 603, 604, and 605¼. Kidney-shaped lever cap bolt holes. BB trademark from 1936. Some frogs feature orange paint on sides.
Type 11 1942 Wartime (1942–1943)
War production. Increased casting thickness and weight. Rough finishes; lever caps skip plating and polishing.
Type 12 1943 Wartime (1942–1943)
Final production year. Frog adjustment nuts: hard rubber or small steel. Handles are maple hardwood with dark varnish stain. Brass components eliminated for wartime conservation.
Bedrock Bench Plane Specifications
All 19 Bedrock models. Specs are: sole length × cutter width, weight. Production years indicate American manufacture only.
Scarce; compact. Commands premium collector price.
One of the three genuinely scarce Bedrocks. Watch for fraudulent corrugations.
Most common smoother size.
Heavy; expensive relative to performance.
Most commonly encountered Bedrock size.
Extremely scarce. The only Bedrock made solely in flat-side form. A cache of 200+ found at closed Milwaukee trade schools.
Non-standard iron width, needs #5½ or #27½ irons.
Bedrock Market Prices by Size
Realized sale prices from Jim Bode's Value Guide to Antique Tools. Prices vary by Bedrock type, condition, and era. Based on ~340 historical transactions. All figures in USD.
Most sought-after Bedrock smoother. Significant price premium over Bailey equivalents at every grade. Corrugated 602C examples run $895–$1,995.
Most affordable entry point to the Bedrock series.
Most commonly traded Bedrock size. Broad market with consistent demand across all condition grades.
Most affordable larger Bedrock. User-grade examples are priced within reach of active woodworkers.
Uncommon wide-cutter variant. Modest premium over No. 605 in comparable condition.
Consistent demand from woodworkers and collectors alike. Corrugated 607C examples command a modest premium.
Largest Bedrock jointer. Size premium is consistent. Even user examples sell above comparable No. 607.
Source: Jim Bode's Value Guide to Antique Tools. Historical realized sale prices, not a guarantee of current market value.