I Love My Block Plane
Jim Shaver Oakville, Ont.
>Hi,
Okay, I admit it, I Love my low angle LN block plane. I bought it many years ago almost on blind trust, thinking it was the most expensive money I had yet spent on a tool in my hobby with no power. I felt that I was being extravagant at the time, a nice shiny new hand tool to be used for tasks I had yet to discover, but having it meant that perhaps it was the admission price to a new facet of wood working for me beyond what I knew at the time. Besides it�s potential it had that esthetic quality of beauty that is usually the hook for many first time hand tool buyers.
Over the years I used to reach for a process to achieve a desired cut or shaped feature, usually power based, but in the last number of years that has changed. I have for a long time replaced several of those considerations with my block plane. We all know the feeling, it�s always a moment of anticipation when you pass the plane over the wood, waiting for the first wisp of a shaving to grow out of the throat, seeing, hearing and feeling the wood underneath changing with each pass then feeling for confirmation with your fingers the surface for its smooth and clean transition. I never tire of that moment and I know I never take it for granted either, the feeling that I created that change and have a more active ownership in my work is one that is very satisfying.
So why am I saying I love my block plane today? I have been happy with it for many years. I guess because my relationship with my work is changing and along with that also my work with my block plane. I am currently working on my first project that is totally all from hand tools. It�s a big step for me. The wood, I will admit was milled when I bought it, but I have made all the cuts, thicknessing and joinery by hand. I have employed a great deal of satisfaction in using some of my hand tools for the first time in a more productive method than I have in the past. The one tool that has been my most versatile companion in this project has been my block plane. I have used it to fit pieces, chamfer edges, smooth small surfaces, clean end grain and more. I was just reflecting last night as I was turning out the light in the shop that I was feeling very accomplished with the plane.
It�s a feeling of anticipation, developing skills with our tools is not an instant process, even for the seasoned amoungst us. It�s taken me years to get the feeling that I can be confident with the hand tools I use, understanding the advertised potential it has and then the same for myself. I also know too that I have much to learn, the surprises and joys along the way far outweigh the disappointments.. My block plane is just a symbol perhaps for the journey I have been on. I also know that this community is a major support in the education and support for those of us who want to learn and grow in more traditional methods. I do enjoy growing in my skills and allowing the satisfaction in my projects to be reflected as such. Enjoying the path is something special�continually finding that potential over the years even in one tool is very satisfying.
Take care,
Jim