Denis Chénard, Orléans, Ont.
>Presumptuous? I guess you're right, my apologies...

This said, since you haven't had a problem with tearout in the last 30 years (quite a feat!), could I ask what species you work with, is the wood air- or kiln-dried, plain or figured, any exotics in the mix?

All I know is that there are some pretty experienced (and well-known) people out there who have experienced tearout with the wood they use, and have found out that the expensive planes do work better.

There is a perception among many that old tools are as good or better than the current quality offerings. If one thinks about it for a second, the statement doesn't hold the road...

The ironic thing in all this is that a proficient person can make a lesser quality tool work well, for a beginner this obstacle might be too much and drive the person towards tailed tools...

DC