I probably will be flogged for this, but want to know. Anybody ever used Veritas planes? I have heard pretty good things about them and it appears that their manufacturing tolerances are quite stringent. However, i know that most people use LN planes and hand tools when they are looking at the higher priced tools. Any feedback about this would be very valuable. I have the veritas scrub plane, and have been pleased with it, but I don’t know much about their bench planes.
B
Replies
I have:
They are, in a word, superb.
-Steve
I've got what Steve has, with the exception of the low-angle jack plane. Ditto his brief comment. I don't think either of us thinks of this as a "review" as such. It's just an opinion!
Here's an addition (again, not a "review!" I'm being careful with my words here!)...
The machining on the planes is very well done - places that are supposed to be flat, like the sole, are. The blades are thick, heavy, and the backs are flat.
Once sharpened, both of these planes yielded an experience unlike any I've had with any other plane I've owned (mostly older Bailey and Stanleys). They're a real step up - an engineering improvement, if you will - from what I had before.
Again, my opinions and should not be considered a review!
Zolton
If you see a possum running around in here, kill it. It's not a pet. - Jackie Moon
Having purchased three Veritas planes [Low angle jack, Smooth and Side Rabbet], I can tell you I appreciate the fit and finish out of the box. Blades have a nice heft to them. And most importantly, to me, they are a pleasure to use. Which is more than I can say for a couple other planes I purchased when I was a newbie i.e. Stanley & Groz.
I have limited experience with LN, but am pleased with the apron plane I bought a year ago.
As a quasi-aside, I really appreciate the customer service I have received from Lee Valley - I purchased something as a Christmas present last year and a couple of months afterward they (unbeknownst to me) had lowered the price of the item. How did I find out about the price cut? They sent me a letter with a check for the difference!
blockerb:
I own several LN (bevel up and down) and old Stanley's, but have gotten multiple opportunities to try out LV planes. All of their bevel up line, including the block planes, are good tools. Their scrub plane which you have out performs the LN. I also think their bevel up jack has advantages over the LN in terms of size and weight. It makes a great shooting board plane. I'm not a fan of their bevel down planes.
You didn't ask, but the LV spokeshaves are as good as their planes. I have their flat, curved, and concave spokeshaves and don't have any complaints. I also have their metal low angle spokeshave designed to work like a wooden shave. It works well for taking light cuts, but the blade tends to come loose on heavy cuts.
gdblake
I own a surprising amount of both companies tools. Quality wise they're equivalent. I purchased the planes based on availability and price. The Lee Valley store is down the road, LN comes to town once or twice per year.
In terms of bench planes, I prefer the LN. They're prettier. For me they're almost double the price... So I don't buy many. The next time the Canadian Dollar is on par with the US dollar.... I;m going to load up!
While most of my hand tools are from LN, I do have a few Lee Valley hand tools. I have their router plane, a couple of their spoke shaves, a marking gauge, and a bench plane or 2. They are of excellent quality. Don't hesitate to buy more.
Jeff
I have their large scraper plane, the new small scraper plane (which is WONDERFUL!!) and the large shoulder plane (also a great tool). Love them all. I have L-N bench planes and they are also great. I have a personal preference for bevel down smoothers, but that is just me. My L-N #7 is easily my favorite plane and the one that I can’t live without.
i am just a total newbie, but I have several LV planes and couldn't be happier. They required little tuning, were reasonably priced for the quality, and they work very well indeed. Lee Valley has customer service down to a fine art as well. I have large hands, and bought a LV apron plane, but just could not get comfortable with it. Even tho' it was past the 3 month return period, they took it back with a smile.I am now saving up for a low angle jack.For what it's worth....Paul
I have:
I find the quality of both to be superb. The LNs are more traditional and have a more refined look. The Veritas are better designed, more innovative.
You can't go wrong either way.
Simply put: you can't go wrong with a Veritas hand Plane.....period
Neil
I have various planes, and a smattering of saws, from both companies. Quality is excellent for either / or. Otherwise its may be apples to oranges but you wont go wrong either way.
blockerb,
You say you know most people use LN planes. I would suggest that is probably not true. I believe you will find quite a balance of people who have some of both. And many will have only one or the other.
Based on my experience, and reading people's comments here on Knots, it appears to come down to personal choice. What style you like. The quality of the product and the service from both companies is excellent. I had a LV straight edge. About 6 months after I bought it I got a card from LV saying they were sending me a new one because they had discovered a problem in some of the ones that had been sent. Many companies would have only replaced mine if I had complained. They didn't wait.
I believe you will have an excellent product from whichever company you choose. It will just come down to style and personal preference.
Alan - planesaw
Well said! As many others, I have both, as well as many others including Clifton, vintage, etc.
LV/Veritas probably excel at ergonomics, but in the end the test is does the tool do the job. With LV, damn near everytime, it does. The upside is the generous return policy afforded the purchaser by LV.
T.Z.
B:
Whether most have L-N planes, or Veritas planes seems to depend on the forum. Here, I get the feeling it's mostly L-N, on SMC, I get the feeling it's mostly Veritas.
I own both. I've never had any issues with my Veritas tools, and they work very well. I've had a couple of problems with my L-N tools, and they were cheerfully replaced, no questions asked. Likely, that was the result of the math - I have some Veritas planes, and a heck of a lot of L-N planes, so the probability of finding a problem is a lot higher in the L-N tools.
I don't think you can go wrong with either brand, and it's largely a matter of preference based on aesthetics. I don't like the looks of the "standard" line of Veritas, so I own mostly L-N. That might change with more offerings of the Lee Valley "premium" line of planes.
And - kudos to you for having the intelligence to start out with something nice in the first place. I see a lot of threads vociferously complaining about the price of a L-N or LV tool, and then a post by the same individual a month or so later complainging that he can't get his Groz, Anant or modern Stanley to work, and all planes must be just for stone-age neanderthals.
Cheapness is its own worst punishment.
B
Both LN and LV (Veritas) make superior handplanes. The finish quality is equivalent. Only the styling is different.
LN are essentially focussed on remaking established vintage designs, such as the Stanley Bed Rocks in the bench area, Records for shoulders, and even the odd Norris and such. They have raised the standard of finish, improved on materials, and refined the design (without making any substantial changes).
LV are focussed on innovation, that is, they are willing to depart from the traditional and develop new features, features that substantially improve performance (such as adjustable mouths, precision Norris-type adjusters, side set screws). Where most love the traditional looks of LN planes, one either loves or hates the "old" LV, where form has followed function. There is a new line developing that, similarly, are (to my eye) stunning in looks but may not appeal to the conservative. Still, LV are every bit about performance as are LN.
Most associate Bevel Down (BD) planes with LN and Bevel Up (BU) planes with LV. Of course, both companies produce both these types. I would say that LN have a better reputation for (and offer more varieties) of BD planes while LV have the better reputation for (and offer more varieties) of BU planes.
Often the question comes down to deciding on a BU verses a BD plane (for a bench plane) - there are advantages both ways here (a separate topic) - and aesthetics/ergonomics for shoulder planes and block planes. Let me repeat, both companies produce some superb tools, such that either will bring a smile to the owner, forever.
While many here may associate my name with LV planes, I have nearly as many LN planes in my arsenal. I appreciate good tools regardless of their origin.
Whether you choose LN or LV you will not go wrong.
Regards from Perth
Derek
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