Which Number 6 plane?

[Jacob]

...
By the way, I don't know if the Stanley No 4 I mentioned counts as a "proper" Stanley or not but I have just finished flattening the back of the cutter of it's companion of about the same vintage, a low angle block plane, also from Stanley. I was shocked at how much work was necessary: it had a massive low spot down one side and another one in the opposite corner. It would appear that quality control of blades was not considered to be a particularly big deal.

There's a bit of a fad amongst toolies for flattening things. It usually isn't necessary at all. You don't have to do it if you don't want to.

 

[bugbear]

...
By the way, I don't know if the Stanley No 4 I mentioned counts as a "proper" Stanley or not but I have just finished flattening the back of the cutter of it's companion of about the same vintage, a low angle block plane, also from Stanley. I was shocked at how much work was necessary: it had a massive low spot down one side and another one in the opposite corner. It would appear that quality control of blades was not considered to be a particularly big deal.

There's a bit of a fad amongst toolies for flattening things. It usually isn't necessary at all. You don't have to do it if you don't want to.

The reverse, (large flat surface) of my edge tools such as chisels, planes, spokeshaves and so on are lapped flat and then polished through refining stages to a mirror finish.

-- Paul Sellers

BugBear

 

[Jacob]

I see Paul Sellers has caught the virus too! I hope he recovers soon.
So far I've managed to avoid it but who knows where it will strike next? :shock:

 

[Andy Kev.]

...
By the way, I don't know if the Stanley No 4 I mentioned counts as a "proper" Stanley or not but I have just finished flattening the back of the cutter of it's companion of about the same vintage, a low angle block plane, also from Stanley. I was shocked at how much work was necessary: it had a massive low spot down one side and another one in the opposite corner. It would appear that quality control of blades was not considered to be a particularly big deal.

There's a bit of a fad amongst toolies for flattening things. It usually isn't necessary at all. You don't have to do it if you don't want to.

The way I look at it, as a beginner, is that I need every bit of help I can get in removing variables which could make my results even worse than they are. I bet that somebody who is skilled and experienced can merrily produce good work with a plane blade that has a back like a relief map of the Pennines. So while I bow to your knowledge and experience, I'm inclined to take a belt and braces approach. (If you'd seen my recent attempt at dovetails you'd just pass me a lapping stone.)