Replies

1. 
   mbholden | Aug 31, 2008 11:45pm | #1

   Cant go wrong with either.

   I have the LV medium and am very happy with it.

   Mike

1. 
   Doc | Aug 31, 2008 11:49pm | #2

   The Lie-Nielsen looks more tradtional.  But looking at it (and I've never held one), it looks like your hand placement wouldn't be as easy as with the Veritas.  Do you agree?

1. 
   mbholden | Sep 01, 2008 03:51am | #4

   Doc,

   It is a matter of personal preference.

   I chose the the Lee Valley, it was more to my hands liking.

   But, if I had bought the LN, I would not have buyers remorse.

   They both work well - which is the prime criteria.

   Different hands, different background, maybe a different choice.

   It is nice to have choices.

   Mike

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Sep 01, 2008 01:19am | #3

   Doc, I had the middle Stanley for years and then picked up the large Veritas. WOW, what a difference. The old iron styles are just that, old iron ie. Stanley, Clifton, LN or Record  Preston types, that work or can be made to work (with the possible exception of the small Stanley) but the Lee Valley models actually fit your hand -horizontal or vertical- , cut better, adjust more precisely and are a pleasure to use at a lower cost . Paddy

   
   

   ---

   Edited 8/31/2008 6:21 pm ET by PADDYDAHAT

1. 
   joelm | Sep 01, 2008 06:14pm | #10

   Preston/ Record/ Clifton/ LN style shoulder planes are designed to be used by pulling towards you. This way the cutting is directly under your eyeball so you can precisely trim what needs to be trimmed. Also pulling towards you gives a very controlled stroke. If you are pushing them away from you - that's why you might find it uncomfortable.Joel
   http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com

1. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Sep 01, 2008 08:22pm | #11

   Joel, for the record I do pull as well as push and being 6'1" tall I can look over the top better than some who are vertically challenged. It is not just that the LV comes to hand better, the mouth adjustment is easier and it takes only seconds instead of minuets to pull a blade for a hone touch up and reinstall exactly where it was with very little fuss.

   I have no problem using a plane hammer(that I bought in Kyoto in 1985) but it is imprecise and a PITA every time you pull the cutter so I have chosen to retire all my woodies and crude old iron as better replacements show up. I have most of the others -except original Preston- and they work and I respect the heritage, I am just no longer willing to use them when I can use a less fussy tool to do good work in less time. Paddy

1. 
   joelm | Sep 01, 2008 09:12pm | #12

   That's fine,
   When I first started using shoulder planes ( a good 25 years ago) I found adjustments taking awhile, but once I got past the learning curve it wasn't an issue and happens in seconds. But actually once the iron is set I leave it there - sometimes for months as shoulder planes don't get used as much or need to be sharpened as frequently as bench planes. My own favorite is a beat up Norris #7 without an adjuster that I found at a street stall in London in 1987. I have a Norris shoulder plane with an adjuster but it's not worth the trouble. And the 7 works better than the cast planes I have - so that's my preference.I am surprised you find hammer adjustment imprecise. I used to be an adjuster only kind of a guy but I have since found hammer adjustment - especially of wooden planes totally precise - and backlash free. Each to his own. Joel
   http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com

3. 
   pakman1 | Sep 01, 2008 04:29am | #5

   Doc,

    I tried both brands and ended up buying the LV medium and large both.

   The LN just felt real awkward and the LV's were immediately very

   comfortable. I love the finger holes and the adjustable knobs. I have a

   number of LN planes (11) but the shoulder planes I just didn't like.

                                                                                 Pat

                                                                           

1. 
   Doc | Sep 01, 2008 04:40am | #6

   Thanks for all the replies.  You all kind of confirmed what I was thinking.  I think that Lie-Nielsen makes absolutely fantastic planes, but looking at the shoulder planes, the Lee Valley Veritas just looks like the better choice for me.  I haven't gotten to use either of them, but Veritas just appears as if it would be a better fit.  The appearance of the Lie-Nielsen makes me wonder where I'd put my hands.  Thanks for all the input.  Now I just need to see if there are enough pennies in my change jar to order one.

1. 
   dkellernc | Sep 01, 2008 05:19pm | #9

   Doc - I've a fairly large collection of shoulder planes, most of them antique Norris, Spiers, etc...  I also own the 4 sizes of the L-N planes.  I've tried all of them out in the shop.  From the standpoint of performance and comfort, I like the antique infills more than any, including the L-N, L-V, and antique Preston all-iron offerrings, with the top dawg being an antique Miller shoulder plane.  That one, however, is not a practical option for someone just looking for a user tool - their value as collector's items precludes that.

   However, I find the L-N small infill shoulder plane in my hand more than any other in my shop.  The reason is that, in my opinion, most shoulder planes are too flippin' large for most furniture builder's jobs.  Most of the shoulders I find myself trimming are all in the 1/4" - 3/8" size range, and the small L-N fits these the best without being "tippy" as the larger sizes are.  The caveat here is that I don't use a shoulder plane as is sometimes recommeded in magazines - as a means to trim tenon cheeks, or as a rabbet or dado plane.  For tenon cheeks, I use a joiner's float, and I use rabbet and dado (wooden) planes for the purposes for which the tools are named.

   If you're looking for a shoulder plane for exclusively the use for which the tool was intended, you might consider the L-N small infill.  It's a very nice tool for not too much money.

4. 
   Samson | Sep 01, 2008 05:14am | #7

   I have the large LN.  I love it, and have no coplaints about holding it or how it works. 

5. 
   derekcohen | Sep 01, 2008 04:52pm | #8

   Hi Doc

   I have not used the LN (although I have hefted it and "played" with it. It is a beautifully made plane), but have extensive experience with the LV, Stanley and HNT Gordon 3/4" shoulder planes.

   They are compared here:

   http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/The%20Veritas%20Medium%20Shoulder%20Plane.html

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

6. 
   troys | Sep 01, 2008 11:21pm | #13

   I have the smallest LN one with the wood infil and the large one I have used the small one a lot and the big one just a few times (got it not to long ago) And I have used a friends medium sized LV and its real nice. Anyway they are all nice tools but the little LN is my favorite.

   Troy

7. 
   derekborne | Sep 02, 2008 06:58am | #14

   I have the Veritas Medium Shoulder Plane.  The hole through which you place your finger is 1/8" undersized for my liking.  Perhaps I have bigger hands than the average WW.  Not sure.  Other than that, it is a performer.  I wouldn't mind try one of the HNT Gordon planes though.  They look comfy to me.

    

   Derek

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Sep 03, 2008 04:57am | #15

   Derek,

   Your last sentence about "comfiness" got me thinking.  Screwdrivers have rubber grips.  So do drills and saws and hammers and chisels.  So why not planes?  Sure they don't fit in with the traditional appearance of a handplane, but hey, ergonomics is ergonomics.  Maybe I'll pitch my idea to Rubbermaid.  They've got a small line of tools.Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

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

1. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Sep 03, 2008 05:01am | #16

   Chris, the Rubbermaid tool company is Irwin who eats companies and sells the pieces to India. Paddy

   Edited 9/2/2008 10:03 pm ET by PADDYDAHAT

1. 
   flairwoodworks | Sep 03, 2008 05:02am | #17

   No foolin'!Chris @ http://www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

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