Replies

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Mar 30, 2009 03:50am | #1

   It all depends on your sharpening habits. If you use a power sharpening system, you might as well stick with A2 for it's edge retention.

   However, if you sharpen by hand, you should consider O1. If you're diligent about sharpening and don't mind sharpening more often, O1 is a good choice. Or if you'd rather sharpen less frequently but spend more time doing so, stick with A2.

   O1 also holds an edge better at low angles, but that's not an issue with a bench plane.

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com
   (soon to be www.flairwoodworks.com)

    - Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

2. 
   BrianDerr | Mar 30, 2009 09:42am | #2

   I sharpen by hand and the A2 sharpens just fine, the longer lasting edge far outweighs a few extra strokes on the stone. It seems like most the my time with sharpening is setup, not actual cutting. The exception would be when major lapping is needed. The fewer times I have to take the tool apart, pull out the stones and switch gears mentally the better. I got a Veritas A2 for the fist time several months ago and even changed the bevel angle on it and compared to all my other blades feels like it never really needs sharpenning. The low angle of the tool and the thickness of the steel probably add to this great feel.

   Brian

3. 
   philip | Mar 30, 2009 11:19am | #3

   What woods are you using, mainly, and what do you use to hone with i.e what stones have you got?
   If you use a lot of hard abrasive woods A2 is a better choice.
   If you have a good quality diamond plate, or a Norton Pike or India or similar, or a man made water stone like a Kingstone, you will find the one is just as easy to sharpen as the other, provided you dress those stones often. Dressing with a coarse diamond plate of the cheap variety conditions them and keeps them "sharp" i.e they cut fast-A2, O1 or D2, there is no difference-if you notice any significant difference it means your stone is not right, or you have a piece of steel that has not been correctly heat treated for woodworking purposes.
   As far as I am concerned, which is quite far in fact (;) O1 and A2 are both excellent for woodworking purposes, but A2 is preferable if you use hard abrasive woods.Both are easy to hone or sharpen and both can get well beyond shaving sharp.
   Note: I talk of honing/sharpening , not grinding.

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   nicko | Mar 30, 2009 11:55pm | #4

   thanks to everyone for the input this is only the second plane i have purchased the first one is a block plane with an o1 blade in it i just was not sure i made the right choice but after reading everyones input i will keep it. by the way i use japanese water stones 800-1200-4000-6000 i normally start out with the 1200 thanks again.

4. 
   derekcohen | Mar 31, 2009 05:10pm | #5

   Hi Nicko

   I agree with all - A2 holds an edge longer than O1 on more abrasive wood, and gets just as sharp with the appropriate methods.

   I prefer to hollow grind bevel down plane blades, then freehand on waterstones. If you prefer to use a honing guide, then hone a secondary microbevel. Both these methods require that little steel is removed, thus speeding up honing.

   Regards  from Perth

   Derek