Shoulder Plane - Which One?

[Barry Rowland]

My friend has the LV medium shoulder plane. I used it a few times
and fell in love.

It's the next one I get, right after my LV BU smoother.

[Jim Eller]

So do I get A2 or O1 tool steel.............and why?

Jim

[Barry Beech]

LV Medium. Plus they have outstanding customer service.

A2 steel will typically keep an edge longer but is harder to hone
O1 will not hold an edge as long but is easier to hone.

So, it's kinda up to you.

[Brian Kent]

Jim, to simplify the A2 vs O1 choice, do you work more with hardwoods or softwoods?

If soft to medium, the O1 will hold up excellently and will sharpen quicker.

If you are like me and love the beauty of some really hard woods, go with the A2. They take a little longer to sharpen but you are less likely to need to sharpen in the middle of a project.

I bought the Lee Valley Bevel Up Jack plane with the O1. When I use it for end-grain on a shooting board for white oak or hickory, it needs all the hardness I can get. My next blade for it will be A2.

[Pedro Reyes]

So do I get A2 or O1 tool steel.............and why?

Jim

Jim,

Rather than repeating, please read David's post. Everyone just jumped and said the LV medium shoulder plane, which I also have and love. Probably the best designed handtool I have. But is excels at trimming shoulders, not cheeks which is what you were doing.

About the steel, a matter of preference. A2 according to some holds the edge longer, may be harder to sharpen some may say. Others will say O1 takes a sharper edge. I would go with A2 just because the majority of my blades are A2 and I am used to sharpening that.

/p

[Mark Roderick]

Another vote for the LV Medium. Fabulous tool.

[Dave Cav]

Another vote for the LV Medium Shoulder Plane. I was just using mine this weekend, to trim tennons for my new workbench legs.

Dave C

[Jim Eller]

Boy, you guys are good. And fast, I might add.

I really appreciate this info. It really helps.

Jim

[David Gendron]

I also think the LV is the best out there! As for big tenon, you can use a large chisel like 1 1/2" that you would sharppen as a parring chisel, it does a realy good job at cleaning tenno as wellas mortises.
david