Originally Posted by
Reed Gray
As for why I need one in hand, I do have Scott Wynn's book on Japanese style hand planes. I am one who needs an actual piece in hand if I am going to make them. I have watched a whole bunch of You Tube videos on setting them up and using them, so I at least have an idea of what I am getting into. Surprising that the sole is actually not totally flat, but concaved before and behind the blade. While not stated, I am wondering if this will help make up for the tendency of flat planes to end up with a slightly convex surface on long jointing passes since hand planes don't have infeed/outfeed tables. One of the more interesting videos I saw, the guy put a piece of end grain in right ahead of the blade, which is the high wear part on the sole. This also is done with some of the western style planes. Ed, I will look up those sources. Oh, the plane floats, if you have ever watched the Stavros Gakos videos on You Tube, I am guessing he made all of his floats. They are as impressive as his finished products. If you haven't seen his videos, you should. True artistry.
Thanks for the responses.
robo hippy