Rabbet plane.

[paul cottingham]

What has more over-all utility, a block rabbet plane http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=65373&cat=1,41182,41192&ap=1 or a skew rabbet plane like the lee valley one? http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=59999&cat=1,41182,41192&ap=1

For the record, I recognize that this is a pretty open-ended question.

[Don Dorn]

I think it depends upon what you intend to accomplish. If raising panels is something you might like, I'd opt for the full size rabbet plane. I have a Record 778 and it gets more use than I ever thought it would. I also have a LN Rabbeting block plane and once in awhile, I'll use it for it's rabbet ability, but mostly just as a block. If you are doing mostly small work, then I'd go with the rabbeting block. Are you comfortable sharpening? If so, a skew blade presents more of a challenge unless you do it free hand. Both my blades are straight so it's not a conern, but on the other hand, I would think the skew blade would cut a bit better.