stjones

Why on earth were you holding a workpiece with your hand? That's what a workbench is for. I hope that in the future you keep both hands on the router.

Is there actually anything "unique" about these planes' knuckle-joint lever caps? Stanley, Sargent, and Millers Falls all made knuckle-joint block planes. No need to spend $90 on a Chinese model when American ones are as common as dirt for less money. Even a clean Stanley 65 (arguably the best mass-produced low angle block plane ever) can be had for less.

In the rare cases when I've thought I needed a new plane, the only manufacturers I've seriously considered are Lie-Nielsen for improved traditional designs (I own a small shoulder plane) or Veritas for innovative new designs (I own a large shoulder plane and a low angle smoother). WoodRiver is a non-starter.

I have one of Steve's planes - an ebony smoother with the blade pitched at 50 deg. It's a superb plane, great on gnarly wood right out of the box. I'm glad I bought it when I had the chance.

First, thanks for the article. I have a Record 043 (small English plow plane with 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" irons) that would do the job. Doubtless the new LV plow would too. But I like the idea of a couple of pairs of dedicated woodies for drawer bottoms.

Second - for the complainers - the Internet holds more free information on the anatomy of plow planes, the heat treating of plane irons, and the building of Krenov-style planes than anyone could possibly digest. Without intending to start a holy war, I think that hand-tool users are accustomed to figuring out how tools work, since the old ones seldom come with any instructions. Almost inevitably, they also figure out how to make them.