Clifton Planes: How Sheffield Built A Plane Too Good To Die

Clifton Planes proved that Sheffield could still build a world-class hand plane. At a time when many mass-market planes had become lighter, cheaper and more disposable, Clifton chose a different path. These British woodworking planes used heavy cast iron, thick carbon steel blades, precise machining and a Bedrock-style frog to produce a smoother, cleaner cut on difficult timber. For serious cabinetmakers and traditional woodworkers, the Clifton plane was not just another tool. It was proof that Sheffield craftsmanship, proper steel and old-school engineering still mattered. Even after Clico entered administration in 2014, the Clifton name survived when Thomas Flinn rescued the brand and kept production in South Yorkshire. This video explores how Sheffield built a plane too good to die — from the rise of Clifton bench planes to the collapse of their original maker, and the survival of one of Britain’s finest modern hand tools. #CliftonPlanes #WoodworkingTools #SheffieldSteel