Lie-Neilsen No 4 - uncomfortable to use

[RogerS]

I decided to treat myself to one of these having been very pleased with my two skew planes.

When it arrived, I opened the box to have a peek. It is very pretty to look at. I just had to hold it but initial impressions were that something didn't feel right but no time then to investigate further.

Just popped out to the workshop to give it another go and, sadly, my initial impressions are confirmed. I just find it too damn uncomfortable to use. The shape of the handle just ain't right compared to my Record planes and squeezes the little and index fingers together. The frog scrapes the top of my ring finger as I plane.

It's 'orrible.

Am I the only one to find these uncomfortable to use? Is there an after-market in better shaped handles?

 

[Lord Nibbo]

Dear oh dear! you better send it to me and I'll send you a Stanley #4 :lol:

New angle on gloatmanship :lol:

 

[dunbarhamlin]

:shock: Heresy!
If you've got really big paws, would it work as a sort of Bedrock apron plane? I find my Clico #3 too tight for three fingers around the tote (obviously this is smaller still), but works great as a finishing or trimming plane on the small stuff I do.

 

[newt]

Interesting mine fits like a glove.

 

[andys wood shed]

Roger,

Are you holding it the right way round :lol: :lol: :lol:

Andy :wink:

 

[Philly]

Roger
Do you point your index finger along the iron? Ir is a three finger grip.
Cheers
Philly

 

[Paul Kierstead]

Roger
Do you point your index finger along the iron? Ir is a three finger grip.

I'll second that; it is definitely designed for a three finger grip. With 3 fingers, you would have to have massive paws to not fit. OTOH, certainly not all handles fit all hands.

 

[Mirboo]

I concur with Philly and Paul. I tested the grip on my LN No. 4 and found that with a four finger grip it was uncomfortable to hold. With a three finger grip it's fine.



I usually hold all of my bevel down planes with a three finger grip.

The pictures above have also served to remind me how cold it is in my workshop today. My hands are purple.

 

[Benchwayze]

Hi Roger,

I can't speak for a Lie Nielsen, but I have exactly the same problem with an old Spiers, wooden-infill smoother. I know my hands aren't exactly tiny, but neither do I have 'Ham-hocks'. I wouldn't touch the Spiers handle to make it fit, so I tend to grip it as I would a block-plane and find that's okay.

I suppose the Lie Nielsen devotees would shy in horror if I suggested making a new handle, but it isn't that difficult and ALF did have something somewhere on a great way to do it.

So that's what I would do. I might even consider making a laminated walnut blank with opposing grain, to avoid the problems of short-grain.
Worth a try? if you don't have any walnut I have some offcuts I am sure.

Regards
John

 

[Benchwayze]

Dear oh dear! you better send it to me and I'll send you a Stanley #4 :lol:

New angle on gloatmanship :lol:

ROTFLMBO! :lol:
Nice one Nibbo

 

[Benchwayze]

Roger,

Are you holding it the right way round :lol: :lol: :lol:

Andy :wink:

Well Andy, that's one other way of using a plane. With a small workshop like mine, sometimes I need to 'pull-plane' . Bit awkward with a jointer though! :lol:

John

 

[RogerS]

Ahah.....thanks to Philly for pointing out the error of my ways 'cos sticking out my index finger as he suggested leaves me room for the remaining three.

 

[Philly]

No problem - enjoy your plane!
Philly

 

[bugbear]

I concur with Philly and Paul. I tested the grip on my LN No. 4 and found that with a four finger grip it was uncomfortable to hold. With a three finger grip it's fine.



I usually hold all of my bevel down planes with a three finger grip.

The pictures above have also served to remind me how cold it is in my workshop today. My hands are purple.

The handles on older (wooden) jointers are often disconcertingly small - definitely 3 finger grip.

BugBear

 

[engineer one]

actually roger if you look at some magazine reviews between the three well known modern brands, LN,LV and Clifton, there are often comments about the handles.

people mention having problems with one type and its handle and not with another. even in american mags i have seen people say that in some cases the ln is not quite right whilst the lv is, and a bit later on another model, it is reversed.

since i have a misshapen little finger on my right hand,( ah the joys of falling of motor bikes, it is straight until the top joint,) i find the ln bu's more comfortable, but the LV normal models better.

whilst i agree with using 3 fingers,(as it were :? ) andit is of course a good measure for scotch :twisted: you might find that the shape and size of an lv no 4 might be different enough to make it easier.

what an excuse to try and borrow one :roll:

paul :wink:

 

[mr]

whilst i agree with using 3 fingers,(as it were :? ) andit is of course a good measure for scotch :twisted:
paul :wink:

Particularly when straight up.
Cheers Mike

 

[engineer one]

sorry i meant MALT :twisted:

paul :wink:

 

[dunbarhamlin]

If we're talking malt, it'll have to be Uma. (OK, Soreen these days)

 

[engineer one]

now that's a thick slice, i prefer the liquid type, glen cairn or morangie :twisted:

paul :wink:

 

[Mittlefehldt]

Not to hijack the thread or anything but I have personal preference for Talisker.