The Groz is a new plane made in India by a company that also makes precision machine tools. The plane looked good with its black japanning, nickel-plated lever cap, tropical hardwood tote and knob, and brass fittings. But my optimism dimmed after closer inspection.

The frog bed was concave from side to side by 0.003 in. and, coupled with a thin blade, caused the plane to jump and chatter on white oak and maple. The chipbreaker needed tuning to help shavings pass without jamming. Even fitting the plane with a 3/32-in.-thick Hock blade and a Clifton Stay-Set cap didn’t help. Also, although the sole was flat, it was so coarsely milled that it required lapping with an abrasive. To work satisfactorily, the Groz plane also would require lapping the frog bed flat, a difficult task because the lateral adjuster and the yoke are in the way.

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Stanley Powerlock 16-ft. tape measure

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