A. B. Manufacturing Co., operated by Arthur W. Beaman, made the Quicsharp knife grinder for planers and jointers that sharpens the knives in place. The example seen carries a 1930 patent date. A 1945 ad mentions that the Quicsharp grinder was a pioneer in in-place sharpening of jointer and planer knives, and further noted that it had been introduced over 20 years previously.
Information Sources
- September 1908 System has an ad from A. B. Manufacturing Co., Worcester, Mass., for the A. B. Stropper, a small device for stropping a safety razor blade.
- 1928 Journal of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Vol. 32, page 55, lists "Non-Graduates", including "Beaman, Arthur W. General Manager and Treasurer, A. B. Mfg. Co., 43 Hammond St. (Res. 8 Shepard St.), Worcester, Mass. The same listing is seen in a 1931 issue (Vol. 35, page 60).Thanks to Bill Thomas for bringing this maker to our attention.
- The patent was applied for on 1927-08-25 and granted on 1930-06-24. The inventor was Arthur W. Beaman. Since his initials are AB, it seems reasonable to assume that he was the man behind this firm.