A2 or HCS?
Denis Chénard, Orléans, Ont.
>Tonight I attended a seminar titled "The Plane Truth" at Rosewood Studio. Ted Brown, the owner and program director, gave us quite a detailed presentation (which was free, BTW, all that was asked for was a donation to the local food bank or local charities).
I learned so much, me, a rank amateur when it comes to handplanes. Actually it was the first time that I've seen a pro in action using his planes. Quite an eye opener...
Of course, since Rosewood Studio also retails tools they didn't mind if they made a few tool sales, but that's OK, no one got a plane blade pressed to his/her throat... The sales that I've seen were of plane models used in the seminar.
But...
Like most of us, I suppose, Ted Brown has his list of preferences. He seemed to prefer HCS blades over A2 for its ease and speed of lapping the blade's back, and he thinks he can get a keener edge with HCS, even if, by his own assessment the edge doesn't last as long as with A2.
Somehow when I restored/upgraded/tuned up my small collection a couple months ago, I did not feel a marked difference between the two. In all fairness I didn't time the process, but I didn't get out of the shop feeling that I spent more time on A2 vs. HCS. Any expert wants to weigh in on this?
Other observations: Brown feels he can the smoothest surface with the wooden planes he builds (hey, he studied under Krenov), but seeing him using his planes seemed a bit too finicky for me (at least for now). He also mentioned that he's not a fan of bevel up planes, and that the traditional, bevel down planes can make a smoother surface.
I don't want to put Brown on the spot, I am very appreciative for the seminar he gave. Yet I feel that some of his statements are like BMW vs. Mercedes, both are great and do the job, but one of the two just happens to "feel better" in your hands...
Comments?
DC