The front knob has three positions - on top, and on each side, for right- or left-handers...I suppose the fourth position would be with it removed.
It's really there as a tactile "cue" - it sits against the web between the thumb and forefinger of the front hand, and provides a much more solid and less fatiguing grip.
>...I was gonna ask Rob about replacement knobs for the medium shoulder plane, but I think Left-Coast-Scott's right - I like the brass knob a little better...
>The first time I saw the picture on the sightings page my thoughts were the same as the two Scott's... I wonder if it would look better with brass knobs?
Be a nice option!
Brad
PS - Has anyone else noticed the other LV additions - the mini planes, new wooden marking gauges, mitre saddle, the cabinet maker's mallet and the Japanese cutting/marking gauges?
We're not done yet...short staffed in the web dept., and the US catalog is in the mail now (Canadian will start Friday, or Tuesday)...
More to come... then 720 new hardware items, then we're into the new Christmas stuff....
As for the knobs - I much prefer the wood - It's warmer on your hand, and doesn't weigh what brass would. Wood wasn't an option on the medium, as the diameter is much narrower.
>Yes, I"m also in the camp that doesn't care for the look of the wood handles. To me they are totally discordant with the look of the plane, and the rest of the family of shoulder planes. I think at least having brass as an option would be a good thing. Frankly, I suspect that if Rob were to offer brass as an option, he would find that folks would vote overwhelmingly for the brass handles.
As for "warmer in the hand," I just don't get it. I'm going to have a big chunk of cold steel in my hand and worry about the "warmth" of a little bitty handle?
As for the other things new things listed, do note that new "Honk Kong Style" rosewood finish smoother. This looks to be virtually identical, but for a brass mouthplate, to the Mujingfang smoother that has performed so very well in both my first and second planing investigations (and that reference to "cocobolo and blackwood acacia" can't make it any clearer). This is a fantastic value in a specialized smoothing plane for hard, dense, reversing grain woods. It doesn't cost much more than a dedicated HA blade, and offers you a whole second plane already set up for the purpose.
>Your title got me to look...which is what any advertiser considers success. Of course, you're not an advertiser and I mean no disrespect to you. Nor do I think of posts like this as the product of a shill. I suppose there's no inherent difference between enthusiastic consumers and enthusiastic old tool buffs...just different values.
But I couldn't help tripping over this line in the ad copy that was in the advertisement at the end of the link you posted:
"We have overcome the traditional awkwardness of handling and control in these planes by shaping a new lever cap that fits properly in the palm...".
Am I the only one who found this more than a little pretensious?
You see, in my first reading of this text, I thought it was a reference to all prior full-sized shoulder planes (like infills, Prestons, and even the LN). I didn't know that there was a consensus that traditional shoulder planes had such poor handling and control, or that they suffered from improper fit in the palm. I didn't know that mine traditional shoulder planes might need to be replaced. I must confess though that the ad is ambiguous. Is it meant to say "...awkwardness...traditional planes..."?
Anyway, the more I looked that the plane you point out in the link, the more I had to wonder: who exactly designed that thing?
What I mean is: would there be a single individual responsible? It sort of has the look of design by committee or work group...sort of a blending of competing sensiblities.
>I was at the store and saw it in person and wondered why no brass handles. If they do become avaliable that would be perfect. I also bought the new concave shave. While looking the shave over and the first thing we all do is take it apart and the cap didn't come off with the screw. The throat was alot bigger than the others. Well after sharpening the blade I tried it out on a piece of soft maple and it't great the bigger throat is a big plus in my book so much so I'm going to buy another flat shave and file some out of the throat. My other thoughts were do you plan on upgrading any of your current planes perhaps making them heavier and changing the mouth design of the LA smoother my most used plane.
>I have the other shoulder plane and like it very much. For the price of the new one; I would order with brass knobs. Otherwise; I sure can use another 55 bf of hard maple.
I hate to contradict Lyn. Whenever I do it seems I'm wrong. But here goes: I used the large shoulder for a week of heavy use (then I had to send it back).
I like the wooden knobs quite a bit. In general, I prefer a wooden interface when possible. You can more easily modify the wood to suit you. That is why I don't care much for plastic-handled anythings.
I like brass, too. But I've overcome my crow-like affection for shiny objects and see the virtue in the wood. When I get my own large shoulder plane (waiting on a freelance check), I'll probably strip and sand the knobs and wax them until they feel like a worry stone in the hand.
Try this with a Crown square or Japanese chisel something that doesn't appeal to you visually. You'll be shocked at how much better your tools become when they feel good in your hands.
And this tool feels good to me. And it cuts well, too!
>No Freebie? Now that's sad you have to learn the skill of obtaining the unobtainable dickering completmenting whatever it takes to stroke the ego of the seller or service provider to get the freebie or a signifigant price reduction. I still plan on holding out for brass. I'm sure after a hour converstion with me you'd be dreaming of brass knobs. lol
But after an hour of working with my Barr chisels (it took about 10 minutes of work to make them perfect), you'll get out the sanding pads, the wax and rampage through your shop.
Of course - we try to please everybody....the machine shop tells me it's gonna take only 5 minutes to run a dozen or so knobs...after 3 hours of set-up though. We're going to do it, and I'll post pictures of both versions. I'll also post the cost and weight differences (based on large runs) should be $5-15 more for brass.
Not going to change from wood - but are certainly will ing to sell an optional upgrade....
>I just had a look at the photos of the large shoulder plane and find the wood knobs to be a very nice touch to the plane. Like Christopher, any amount of wood is welcome in a tool, gives it that warm feeling...
My vote is for the wood knobs.
Now I need to decide which one to get, the smaller one or this one :))
>You are actually going to release a plane before I buy one from someone else? ;-)
For some reason or another, it seems like you have been releasing planes just after my purchase of a similar competitor's plane! The only plane I have bought from you was for a gift.
>You know, I've never had a problem with either the plane or the brass knobs feeling cold. If anything, they aborb heat very quickly when in use. In fact, I generally have a problem with too much heat - I used the medium shoulder plane enough in the last week that, several times, I had to put it down, as it was heating up to uncomfortable levels. Not that that's a bad thing - I'd rather it get too warm from friction than too cold from idle time.
Now I just need to get some TopCote or something to stave off the sweat-induced rusting...
