Re: Shoulder Planes
William Duffield, on the Cohansey
>The Veritas planes are also of very high quality. You will probably have a lot of trouble finding many people who have used both of these large shoulder planes extensively and can therefore make an totally objective comparison on all points. The exception may be Lyn Mangiameli, who I think has used them both, extensively. So, I am hoping for an extensive, and as usual very objective, comparison from him.
I've had the L-N for several years, and have no issues with its performance. I have always considered it to be just about the only irreplacable tool in my arsenal. That may not longer be true.
I also have the L-V bullnose shoulder plane, and have no significant complaints about it either. The minor problems I have with it I am sure I will be able to fix quickly with some very minor fettling. I've only used the LV medium and large shoulder planes briefly, but was pleased with everything about the way they worked.
The bullnose plane doesn't have any knobs, and it definitely doesn't need any. The medium shoulder plane has a knob, and I couldn't figure out how to use it in a very few minutes of trying without it getting in my way. It's easy to take it off. If I had one, I would be sure to save the knob, right close to the plane, because it probably would not be long before I figured out a good use for it. The L-N doesn't have any knobs, and I have learned how to use it without them, without any comfort complaints. When I tried the LV large shoulder plane, I was surprised to find that the knobs actually made it easier to use for some operations.
As Joe mentioned on the other forum, the L-N, with its large size and weight can be made much easier to handle by some judicious work with a file and 600 grit sandpaper. The L-V also has a few rough edges in its casting that are just as easy to fix, but most of the edges you usually encounter with your finger tips have already been cut before the plane leaves the factory.
I do not find the lack of lateral blade adjustment mechanisms to be a problem at all on the L-N. However, since you are not paying extra for the LV adjusters, and they work well and do not get in your way, I would rate them as a minor advantage.
As far as precision of machining, cutting and sharpening quality of the steel in the blades, durability of the other metal parts, overall quality of design and manufacturing, you would be hard pressed to find any significant differences between the two. Sometimes lemons escape from the factory, though not offen for either of these, and their customer service reputations are impeccable, so that is not something you have to worry about either.
The L-N is heavier, and that is a distinct advantage when trimming shoulders, especially long, broad ones. The extra width is also useful if you will also use the plane to trim cheeks of through tenons. If you are "a Man on a Mission" these can be distinct advantages, but if all you build is Hepplewhite, they won't mean a whole lot.
Speaking of Federal furniture styles, all of these planes are too tall to use to trim the shoulders of the bridle joints in the aprons of demiluna tables. For this, you need something no higher than a Stanley #93, or a rabbet block plane (or maybe a carefully controlled paring chisel), which will also do your tenon cheeks.
