Hock or Lie-Nielsen Replacement Blades

I Would Like A Second Opinion

Zack A.

>

Re: I Would Like A Second Opinion

Wiley Horne--Glendora CA

>Zack,

Whichever way you go, I would urge you to get the upgrade chipbreaker too. It makes at least as much difference as the blade. I only have the LN sets, and they are excellent. Am sure the Hock's are too. And I believe Vlad Spehar (Spehar Tool Works) is also providing sets. But get the chipbreaker.

Wiley

lots of choices, but....

John Truxell-Svenson

>..very few differences that I have been able to see--as long as we are talking about A2, I could not tell my Hocks from my L-N (both very nice) without looking at them, although a nice thing about Ron Hock's stuff is that you can bypass shipping if you have a local Woodcraft. In addition to those two and STW, A2 blades are also offfered by Shepherd.

As Wiley says, consider a cap iron, too, although for a jack and heavier cuts, you might not see as much difference there as you would on a smoother.

/jvs

Re: I Would Like A Second Opinion

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>For me it came down to wanting to support as many different tool makers as I can. I don't buy a lot of new tools, but am pretty well satisfied buying irons from Hock and new tools from LN or other manufacturers. Although I wouldn't give money for trash, I think it's of some importance to keep the tool guys busy so they will be around for our grandchildren, and Hock makes a quality product. Plus, it has a really cool logo.

LN

Robin Frierson

>I got all my replacement blades from LN. And I had them make them thicker for me, .115 which they gladly did for no extra charge. I found fitting a .115 blade to be no problem, just a touch of mouth filing. The standard replacement blade is .095.

Another guy just got LN to make him a few blades at .125 and was able to get them to fit. Actually the .125 is standard size for the smaller LN bench planes. And because of the larger bevel was able to position the frog farther back without contacting the sole. So you may want to consider some thicker blades from LN. And like the others said, get the chipbreaker.

Re: Hock or Lie-Nielsen Replacement Blades

Derek Cohen (in Perth, Australia)

>Zack

No preference with either. Both produce quality blades and both have given me fantastic and prompt service.

I have not seen/used the Hock cap irons, but can say that the LN are very well made and I like the design. If I was getting a plane blade together with a cap iron I would therefore plump for the LN.

On the other hand, I go to Hock for all my block plane blades since they stock the sizes needed for a #65 and #18, which LN does not.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Hock or Lie-Nielsen Replacement Blades

Wendell @ Murphy, TX

>You might want to check out Lee Valley and Shepherd Tools. They both sell A2 plane blades for $8-$10 less than Hock or LN. I bought some LV blades and some Hock chipbreakers. Unfortunately, I can't really give a report on how well they work since I haven't tuned up the planes their suppose go into yet.

Wendell

Re: Hock or Lie-Nielsen Replacement Blades

CBT

>I like both brands. Keep in mind the Hock may requrie more honing than a LN. I recently purchased a Hock #40 blade. The blade required a fair amount of honing. Just an FYI.

CT

Original Blades

jim_reed@marietta

>Original blades are made for mass market carpenters. They are light, inexpensive, knot-forgiving, and easy to sharpen. These attributes make them good for job site carpentry, but lousy for cabinetmaking. Replacement blades are generally harder and sometimes thicker. Replacement chipbreakers (stiffeners) are also harder and thus less pliable. All of the aftermarket blademakers products I have tested are far superior to OEM blades. I like the ones that are 3/32" thick (originals are 1/16"). That adds extra stiffness and also closes the mouth--both help lots. A plane is, after all, just a blade holder. The blade is the essence of the tool. Good luck in your quest.

Re: Hock or Lie-Nielsen Replacement Blades

Zack A.

>Thank You guys for responding.

I didn't think that I would see any actual answers so quickly.

Again... Thanks.

Re: Hock or Lie-Nielsen Replacement Blades

rarebear

>I believe the Hock Blade is a 1/2" shorter at the top end. The LN Blades are same lenght as Stanleys..

I do not like the look of the short blade and that the Lateral Level is more exposed to being bent or moved..

Another vote for Vlad

Neal (San Jose)

>The blade I got from him (It's in a #4, which I think is more critical) is easily equal to the others mentione. I use a two-piece cap iron which may help, but it is my favorite combination.