Holtey wooden planes
- Thread starter Karl
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jimi43
Established Member
Probably the USA Karl.
Stunning...absolutely stunning.
Not sure I get the five studded cap mount but stunning never-the-less
Jim
Stunning...absolutely stunning.
Not sure I get the five studded cap mount but stunning never-the-less
Jim
Crooked Tree
Established Member
WOW!!!
I guess that to get timber like that you have to pay for it. Beautiful things - nothing spared in design, work or skill by the look of it.
I suppose that at least I am not afraid to use my less pretty planes
I guess that to get timber like that you have to pay for it. Beautiful things - nothing spared in design, work or skill by the look of it.
I suppose that at least I am not afraid to use my less pretty planes
Ironballs
Established Member
One day.........
woodbloke
Established Member
They're fabulous looking things, but I wonder if that style of plane is comfortable to use? When I use a woodie I like to place my left hand across the whole width of the front...gripping a little wooden front knob would seem a bit strange to me, but I 'spose in the end the user would get used to it. Some of the Aussie planes have the same feature. The edges of these are also very hard and sharp...that might be uncomfortable after a while as well.
I'm not knocking Karl's planes in any way, shape or form 'cos I'd have one in a heartbeat, but these are just one or two personal observations - Rob
I'm not knocking Karl's planes in any way, shape or form 'cos I'd have one in a heartbeat, but these are just one or two personal observations - Rob
jimi43
Established Member
I'm sure fine craftsmen do use them...but I would find it very hard to take that first cut with that beauty and that price!
Jim
Jim
jimi43
Established Member
gc":2trot93x said:
Stunning looks...perfect engineering and a vertical slope!
Jim
woodbloke
Established Member
This is a tricky one. There are lots of plane makers out there (indeed we have our very own Phillyplanes which are excellent) but it's usually regarded amongst collectors (lets face it, no one would actually give a Holtey a hard time at the bench) that Karl (who is also a member here) produces the very best in the world...think Rolls Royce (at least that's my view anyway) which is why, finances permitting, I'd have one.gc":l0jea9or said:
Karl had a stand at West Dean last year and I had a close look at some of his stuff. It's truly exquisite but unfortunately waaaaaay beyond the depth of my pockets
- Rob
Chems
Established Member
These are worth the money if you think they are. Its not about performance, its like a fiesta and a rolls Royce, both will get A-2-B.
Stunning to look at they are.
Stunning to look at they are.
woodbloke
Established Member
Absolutely...spot on Chems - RobChems":3utj3nif said:
eoinsgaff
Established Member
I think one would be better off paying to have their head examined.
Imagine the amount of LN or LV tools that could be bought with the price of one of those. Still, if the pockets are deep enough, its irrelevant.
Imagine the amount of LN or LV tools that could be bought with the price of one of those. Still, if the pockets are deep enough, its irrelevant.
I'm pretty sure that a fair few of these planes end up in the hands of collectors who put them to one side and wait for their value to increase.
I seem to recall an article in DC's first book in which he has a look at the Holtey A11 mitre plane. The price is listed at around £1200, IIRC. Last time I saw a published price for this plane it was around the £3.5k mark.
Absolutely inspirational work though.
Cheers
Karl
I seem to recall an article in DC's first book in which he has a look at the Holtey A11 mitre plane. The price is listed at around £1200, IIRC. Last time I saw a published price for this plane it was around the £3.5k mark.
Absolutely inspirational work though.
Cheers
Karl
KH has stopped publishing a price list, but a while back he did reduce the price of his 11A smoothers by quite a margin?
I think he had originally produced quite a large batch of them but now makes to order?
Lovely planes and a joy to hold and use.
Rod
I think he had originally produced quite a large batch of them but now makes to order?
Lovely planes and a joy to hold and use.
Rod
The five studs in the side are to give an absolutely secure and permanent mounting for the plate on the other side (in fact they are integral with the plate) which locates the lever cap. This is completely typical of Karl's absolutely meticulous approach to even the smallest details of his planes and is born of a determination that nothing should be left to chance and so risk a failure at some future date.
Many of his planes do indeed end up in collectors cabinets (particularly in the US) but he would much prefer that they are used. I am a fortunate Holtey owner and can vouch for the the exquisite quality and impeccable performance. It is, of course, true that at this level differences in performance are small and the Rolls Royce anology is a good one. I could not afford a RR (too ostentatious anyway!) but I am lucky enough to be able to afford a Holtey. It gives me enormous pleasure both as a tool and as a work of art. I use it regularly and with care and it is steadily acquiring a patina of use. Some would say I am devaluing it and, in a sense, they are right, but how do you put a value on the pleasure of using a masterpiece fir its intended purpose?
Jim
Many of his planes do indeed end up in collectors cabinets (particularly in the US) but he would much prefer that they are used. I am a fortunate Holtey owner and can vouch for the the exquisite quality and impeccable performance. It is, of course, true that at this level differences in performance are small and the Rolls Royce anology is a good one. I could not afford a RR (too ostentatious anyway!) but I am lucky enough to be able to afford a Holtey. It gives me enormous pleasure both as a tool and as a work of art. I use it regularly and with care and it is steadily acquiring a patina of use. Some would say I am devaluing it and, in a sense, they are right, but how do you put a value on the pleasure of using a masterpiece fir its intended purpose?
Jim
Crooked Tree
Established Member
The car analogies sound spot on. A second hand hatch will do the job fine, but we still love Ferraris!
Paul Chapman
Established Member
yetloh":3v12udyb said:
Good for you - that's what they are for.
I had the pleasure of meeting Karl at West Dean last year and seeing some of his planes. Absolutely stunning. If I had one (fat chance :lol: ) I would certainly use it - they are far too good to put away in a cabinet........
Cheers :wink:
Paul
jimi43
Established Member
People like Karl are an inspiration to builders also.
I fully intend to start building tools when I retire (after I finish my own last guitar for me)....as I find them exactly what interest me...aesthetics and engineering in harmony.
Although I would NEVER hope to reach the level of perfection that is achieved by masters like Holtey, Sauer and Steiner, Philly...to name but a few.....these people give me a target...as Everest does for climbers...
I might only do "Ben Nevis" one day...but I can still aim for the highest!
Without these geniuses...life would be far less exciting.
Jim
I fully intend to start building tools when I retire (after I finish my own last guitar for me)....as I find them exactly what interest me...aesthetics and engineering in harmony.
Although I would NEVER hope to reach the level of perfection that is achieved by masters like Holtey, Sauer and Steiner, Philly...to name but a few.....these people give me a target...as Everest does for climbers...
I might only do "Ben Nevis" one day...but I can still aim for the highest!
Without these geniuses...life would be far less exciting.
Jim
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