Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)
Established Member
I echo Alf's comments about a fixed- verses an adjustable mouth block plane. The only time that a tight mouth is helpful on a block plane is when planing face grain with a low cutting angle (a case where the standard pitch is a better choice), which is really not its strength anyway. One does not need a tight mouth for end grain since it does not tear out. What you want is a sharp blade. A very sharp blade.
A little demonstration (a few years ago on WC):
http://woodcentral.com.ldh0138.uslec.ne ... read=68098
And that was the reason my Orange Block Plane did so well.
http://www.wkfinetools.com/contrib/dCoh ... /index.asp
The other issue is a 12 degree verses a 20 degree bed. Several years ago I was in the market for a new block plane. I had a LN #102 in my sights since it was on special at my local store, and I had heard so many good things about it. So one wet, wintery Friday afternoon I braved the traffic in the rain and made a dash to the store after work. In time for the weekend! I must say that it was everything that it was reputed to be. Its ability to shave endgrain was second to none and it felt like an extension of my hand. It quickly became - and has remained - my favourite plane of all. Iraved about the little LA block plane to everyone, recommending it with the utmost confidence. Fast forward a number of years and I see an auction on eBay for a NOS LN LA #60 1/2 adjustable blockplane, the one that everyone says it The Best. Amazingly no one else bids and I get the plane for a song. It duly arrives and I proudly display my collection .. uh selection of blockplanes on the coffee table as I am watching TV (don't we all do this?), these comprising the two LNs and Stanleys #65 and #18. Something looks odd, I think to myself, the blade angles are not the same for the #102 and #60 1/2. The #60 1/2 is the same as the #65 and the #102 is the same as the #18. Mmmm. So I take a closer look at the #102 ... and discover the numbers #103 underneath! All these yearsI was proclaiming this plane for its LA attributes on end grain ... And of course the moral of the story is that a standard angle block plane is probably the better of the two configurations to own. The advantage of the LA (12 degree) version is that one has a choice.
One last comment. The LN #60 1/2 is a great blockplane. It is a real looker and has superb performance. But it lacks "feel". I find it a bit dead in my hand. The Stanley #65 is nicer (and has better performance - well, mine has with a Hock blade). But of all, the little #103 is the nicest of them all.
Regards from Perth
Derek
A little demonstration (a few years ago on WC):
http://woodcentral.com.ldh0138.uslec.ne ... read=68098
And that was the reason my Orange Block Plane did so well.
http://www.wkfinetools.com/contrib/dCoh ... /index.asp
The other issue is a 12 degree verses a 20 degree bed. Several years ago I was in the market for a new block plane. I had a LN #102 in my sights since it was on special at my local store, and I had heard so many good things about it. So one wet, wintery Friday afternoon I braved the traffic in the rain and made a dash to the store after work. In time for the weekend! I must say that it was everything that it was reputed to be. Its ability to shave endgrain was second to none and it felt like an extension of my hand. It quickly became - and has remained - my favourite plane of all. Iraved about the little LA block plane to everyone, recommending it with the utmost confidence. Fast forward a number of years and I see an auction on eBay for a NOS LN LA #60 1/2 adjustable blockplane, the one that everyone says it The Best. Amazingly no one else bids and I get the plane for a song. It duly arrives and I proudly display my collection .. uh selection of blockplanes on the coffee table as I am watching TV (don't we all do this?), these comprising the two LNs and Stanleys #65 and #18. Something looks odd, I think to myself, the blade angles are not the same for the #102 and #60 1/2. The #60 1/2 is the same as the #65 and the #102 is the same as the #18. Mmmm. So I take a closer look at the #102 ... and discover the numbers #103 underneath! All these yearsI was proclaiming this plane for its LA attributes on end grain ... And of course the moral of the story is that a standard angle block plane is probably the better of the two configurations to own. The advantage of the LA (12 degree) version is that one has a choice.
One last comment. The LN #60 1/2 is a great blockplane. It is a real looker and has superb performance. But it lacks "feel". I find it a bit dead in my hand. The Stanley #65 is nicer (and has better performance - well, mine has with a Hock blade). But of all, the little #103 is the nicest of them all.
Regards from Perth
Derek
:lol: 
