Re: Some Excellent LV plane reviews...
William R. Duffield on the Cohansey
>A couple of comments on ALF's excellent review of Rob's Medium Shoulder Plane:
ALF noted that she couldn't figure out how to use the knob or where to place it, and eventually was satisfied when she removed it. She speculated that this might have been due to her short hands. I don't think so. When I tried the plane at a woodworking show last fall, I had the same problem with figuring out what to do with the knob, and I have larger than average size hands (I am one of the minority who doesn't have a problem getting a comfortable grip the L-N 073). It's good to know that it is easily removed, and also easily reinstalled, especially in those cases that you might be working somewhere other than your typical tenon shoulder trimming station at your bench. Shoulder planes sometimes need something you can get a hold of in an awkward situation (like deep inside a carcase, trimming kickers and runners), and none of the other options comes with an auxiliary handle. If I had the LV, I would put the knob away, but would definitely keep it close at hand.
The other comment is a question on the mouth adjustment. ALF notes that it works like the Record 073. Is this true, or does it work more like the improved L-N 073? With the L-N, you can turn the screw in either direction, and the mouth closes or opens accordingly. With the Record, however, if you turn the screw counterclockwise, the mouth does not open. Instead, you have to pull the mouth open, and then tighten the top screw. (Maybe I've got it's operation bass-ackwards, it's been quite a while since I've fiddled with the Record). This is a fine point, but I appreciate the L-N's refinement in this mechanism.
