Best Smoothing Plane Update

[Brian Kent]

A couple of years ago I asked for Creekers to name the Best Smooth Plane that you have personally used. Not the best in theory or in reviews, but your best user. This was really helpful to me and I have quoted your responses a number of times. I am ready to update your list.

So once again:
What is the Best Smooth Plane you have ever used?

In a day or two I'll post the last round of recommendations and in a few days I post a compilation.

[Doug Shepard]

That would have to be my pimped out plane from Mr Brese
http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?t=93312

2nd place goes to my LN Bronze #4 since upgrading to the newer type chipbreaker and adding a HAF.

[Zach England]

Tie between LN 4 1/2 with 55 degree frog and Veritas bevel up smoother.

[Brian Kent]

That was a great thread Doug, and what a plane!

[Gary Benson]

My most used is the LN 4 1/2, use the 45 and 55 degree frog, depending. The 5 1/2 is a very close second.

[Jim Barrett]

I only have 2 planes...LN 5 1/2 with a 55 frog and a LN 7 1/2....5 1/2 is a very nice plane. But...may be in the hunt for another plane this Friday at the LN hand tool event!

Jim
Oh yeah I have a #5 paragon plane that I purchased from Garrett Wade ~ 25 yrs ago...will be putting that on the classifieds soon.

[James Taglienti]

This little guy is a dream machine. Here it is taking some tissue thin shavings from a figured piece of east indian rosewood. I bought it from a Mr. Leach a couple years ago and it's been an epiphany!

[Don Dorn]

Out of a LN #3, an older Stanley #4 and LV Low Angle Smoother, the LV comes out on top.

[Rob Luter]

I have an old Stanley 4 1/2 as well as its counterpart, a #10 from Millers Falls. Both work very well, but the best I've used is my Lee Valley Low Angle Jack Plane with a 38 degree iron and the mouth closed up tight. One day I'll have the Lee Valley BU Smoother too.

[Carl L Goff]

I use and really the L-N 4 1/2

[Casey Gooding]

My mesquite Krenov style plane bedded at 55 degrees. Adjustments are not as fine as on the plane JK made for me, but it can handle just about any wood.

[Bob Noles]

I really do love my LV BUS

[Tri Hoang]

LN #5-1/2 for regular smoothing and LV BUS for difficult wood (sharpen at 42-44*). For shorter/smaller pieces, Stanley #3 type 11.

[David Gendron]

The Krenov style plane I made with Hock blade assembly, even with a big mouth, it work realy nice!

[Eiji Fuller]

My Krenov smoother.