Preview of latest review plane *LINK*

Looks like TOOL PORN :-D

Felix B.

>These planes are absolutely gorgeous! Derek, I am looking forward to reading your review.

Felix

That's a purdy plane...

Scott Burr raining again in Ben Lomond CA

>Will they cost as much as a Holtey?

Notch/Groove?

Ryan Stagg - Cincinnati

>What's the purpose of the groove that looks like it's machined into the bottom, visible on the steel tail showing on the side? Part of the adjustable mouth? I don't see it on the version pictured in the interview.

Re: Notch/Groove?

Derek Cohen (in Perth Australia)

>Hi Ryan

The slot is part of the adjustable mouth. Here is a picture of the sole.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Notch/Groove?

HC Sakman @ Victoria, BC

>..and now those two knurled knobs make sense a lot clearer.

Any $ figure for these planes Derek?

Chico...

Re: Notch/Groove?

Derek Cohen (in Perth Australia)

>Hi Chico

No definite figure from Philip (other than knowing the value for which he has insured the plane for shipping), but I would say probably to expect similar prices to Wayne Anderson (who quotes $100-200 per inch). That would be reasonable knowing the exacting and detailed work that goes into each plane (truly unbelievable).

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Notch/Groove?

Bill Houghton, 1/2 hr: 1/2" rain, Sebastopol,

>so if I order a 1" plane from Wayne Anderson, I'll pay $100? Hmmmm. Might be the only way I'll ever afford one of his lovely tools.

Not quite ;-)

Dan Donaldson

>It is probably a bathtub curve. As the planes get smaller, they get cheaper until at some point, the price goes up again, only usually much faster since smaller things are more difficult to make. ;-)

Re: Preview of latest review plane

Frank D. in Montreal

>Hi Derek,

Thanks for showing that plane. I'm curious as to why he went with a 15� bed and not a 24� bed (IIRC) like on the Holtey 98. It looks very nice.

Re: Preview of latest review plane

Derek Cohen (in Perth Australia)

>Hi Frank

Actually, Holtey #98 uses 22.5 degrees, but I understand what you mean. In fact, I would have chosen 20 degrees for the bed of a BU dedicated smoother. The issue is the clearance angle and a supposedly better wear angle on the blade since the high angle blades the require a lower bevel angle for the high cutting angle. The 12 degree beds of the Veritas, LN and Stanley take into account the possibile need to plane end grain, but this is highly unlikely to occur with this smoother, the Holtey, or the LV BU Smoother. Philip Marcow is going in the right direction, but the question is whether it is enough. I have a little experiment planned for myself, this being to build (if I can) an insert for the BUS to increase the bed angle, then test out the effects on ease of planing and longevity of the blade. I have another as well, but this involves different tote angles. Note that Philip's tote is based on the Stanley.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Holtey?

Moses Yoder in White Pigeon, MI

>Those are nice planes, and I am no expert on Holtey, but I think he might take offense if you say the workmanship is on the same level as Holtey. For example, the three planes lined up in the bottom photo; it looks to me like all three of the screws are set into the knob at a different depth. In my opinion, the Holtey plane costs a lot because he puts an extreme amount of work into it. You can't build a plane for $1500 that is the same quality as a Holtey plane, except perhaps if you are using third world labor. If I were a "reviewer" of planes, I think I would be careful what I say about them, so that my reputation is not ruined.

Re: Holtey?

Derek Cohen (in Perth Australia)

>Mmm Moses, I'm not sure what to say in reply. Don't confuse my enthusiasm and the comments to date as representing a review, or even a validation. You should know me better by now. Philip Marcow has designed a plane along lines similar to the Holtey #98 and, when I eventually get to examine the review plane first hand, based on the pictures to date and the praise of those who have seen his work, I suspect his workmanship is going to be first class. So I am excited to get the opportunity to do this review. When the time comes, as you suggest (and I fully agree), I will make every effort to be objective and fair.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Re: Preview of latest review plane

Dave Thompson

>Dereck, I can think of no one better to review a bevel up smoother with a veritas blade from down under... ;-)

Seriously though, how does one review a plane like this? It has gossamer shavings written all over it. Do you compare it against a LN164 or LV164+? That wouldn't seem right, as in this class, one presumably is paying a premium for aesthetics and the whole Gestalt experience. Pigeon holing it to pure functional performance would be a sin... kinda like comparing a Maybach with an Audi.

I'm just happy people like Wayne Anderson, Hotley and presumably Marcow go beyond perfecting performance and into beautiful art tools. For me, it makes for nice tool porn ;-)

Enjoy,

Dave

Re: Holtey?

tonyr

>I noticed that as well, re: the depth of the cap screws. Similarly, the front knob of the middle plane is a different shape as the two outer planes in that photo. The question, though, is whether small manufacturing variance from plane to plane has any bearing on the functional or aesthetic quality of each individual plane. I believe that if each plane is indvidually poduced, assembled, tested, etc., variation in *certain* parts from tool to tool does not necessarily detract from function and, to my mind, can be additive to form, reflecting the hand-made character of each tool.

Now, it may well be the case that these planes lack the manufacturing precision of a holtey, which fact might have negative implications on form or function. But the supposition that this is more likely the case as a result of observed minor variation in non-critical aspects of certain tool parts strikes me as plainly erroneous.