Reccomendations for a good iron for a #4 Stanley please

[Graham Orm]

Time for a new blade so I thought I'd dip into the well of knowledge before I buy.

EDIT: Cap iron??

 

[bugbear]

Based on recent reports I'd go for a QS T10 iron.

http://www.workshopheaven.com/tools/Qua ... html#SID=5

BugBear

 

[Racers]

Go for cap iron and blade, and possibly a extended yoke.

Pete

 

[Ring]

I went for this for my Stanley no 4 and although expensive it works great and had transformed my plane.
Jim

http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/Pinnac ... Nielsen4-5

 

[Graham Orm]

Go for cap iron and blade, and possibly a extended yoke.

Pete

Thanks Pete...from? type?

 

[MIGNAL]

If you can pick up an old (good condition) square cut Stanley/Record blade I would go for that. It would need to be cheap though eg. early last year I picked up an old Record No.4 for 15 notes, including the postage. The blade was virtually full length and the chip breaker was in good condition. Oh and I got the rest of the plane too! Maybe there is a bit of a risk if someone has overheated the blade though. Might seem strange but one of my best blades is an old one from an Acorn plane. I don't know why but it seems easier to sharpen and stays sharper a bit longer than other blades of that period. Same with an old Stanley rule and level from the 1890's.
The Quangsheng blade in my block plane is also good, especially considering the price. Don't know if it's the same steel as the WH one. Veritas/LN are good (as is my ray Iles) but personally I wouldn't pay those prices again.

 

[deema]

Veritas blade and cap iron drop in replacement. Brilliant but expensive. Available from Axi now, I imported mine from the USA

 

[Racers]

Go for cap iron and blade, and possibly a extended yoke.

Pete

Thanks Pete...from? type?

Hock, QS, LN, Ray Isles etc.

From what I have heard the QS are very good.

Pete

 

[Beau]

I wouldn't bother with Hock myself. Got one in my 5 1/2 but to be honest I prefer my Record blade. Blunts quicker but takes a better edge and much easier to sharpen. Cant comment on the others.

 

[Racers]

I wouldn't bother with Hock myself. Got one in my 5 1/2 but to be honest I prefer my Record blade. Blunts quicker but takes a better edge and much easier to sharpen. Cant comment on the others.

Is is an A2 Hock blade? certainly sounds like it.

You can't beat a square shouldered laminated Record blade, well you can but you have to go a long way.

 

[D_W]

For a while now, I've preferred the good quality vintage stanley irons, but they are getting a little bit more expensive and harder to find.

If you're married to a sharpening process that involves a guide and takes a while, I'd probably try to find something that holds an edge for a really long time, but I think it's preferable to have a quick one or two stone sharpening method and an iron that is amenable to it.

 

[Beau]

I wouldn't bother with Hock myself. Got one in my 5 1/2 but to be honest I prefer my Record blade. Blunts quicker but takes a better edge and much easier to sharpen. Cant comment on the others.

Is is an A2 Hock blade? certainly sounds like it.

You can't beat a square shouldered laminated Record blade, well you can but you have to go a long way.

Think so but it was some years back. Think the choice was A2 or Cryo but wouldn't bet my life on it

 

[undergroundhunter]

I went for this for my Stanley no 4 and although expensive it works great and had transformed my plane.
Jim

http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/Pinnac ... Nielsen4-5

Just for a contrast I put one in my main no4 and didn't really notice any real improvement.

If you want I can post you my iron and cap iron to try before you buy, its no longer in my main plane just drop me a PM with your address.

Matt

 

[Graham Orm]

I went for this for my Stanley no 4 and although expensive it works great and had transformed my plane.
Jim

http://woodworkersworkshop.co.uk/Pinnac ... Nielsen4-5

Just for a contrast I put one in my main no4 and didn't really notice any real improvement.

If you want I can post you my iron and cap iron to try before you buy, its no longer in my main plane just drop me a PM with your address.

Matt

That's a very generous offer Matt. Thank you. Together with the feedback on here, I've done some homework today and think I'll be going for a QS. I have a QS #6 and find it superb so I'm hoping one of their blades in my #4 will make an improvement. It needs a blade anyway so I'll have to get one anyway.

 

[Graham Orm]

Thanks for all the input guys. It's a QS I reckon for now.

 

[undergroundhunter]

I don't think you will be disappointed, I just prefer the stock irons.

Matt

 

[Vann]

The QS irons certainly have a good name. I couldn't be bothered faffing about with a thicker iron anymore. I'd go for a thinner iron (2.5mm max.) in O1 (or W1). Not A2, D2 or M2 unless you work mostly hard hardwoods (like the Aussie hardwoods).

I'd make up for the thinner iron by fitting a thicker cap-iron (much less hassle than fitting a thicker cutting-iron - for the same result), and if you hand hone, consider a Clifton 2-piece cap-iron.

Cheers, Vann.