I'm really liking my Veritas BU smoother at the moment.
I'm really liking my Veritas BU smoother at the moment.
I've not used many, but the best I have used is a Veritas #4 1/2 (as a dedicated smoother).
OK, I'll play. But it has to be three smoothers, not one. Different sizes, for different needs ...
"Best" has not changed ... Marcou BU15 (15 degree bed, 60 degree included angle).
Almost its equal. Just an amazing plane for the money. Veritas BU Smoother (12 degree bed, 62 degree included angle) ..
And number three. My Stanley infill. This is another superb smoother, as good as the best. Can be used one-handed as only 7 1/2" long. (25 degree bed, 60 degree included angle) ...
Regards from Perth
Derek
Mathieson infill. It has a super tight throat, york pitch, and very good cast steel iron that hold an edge well.
Record 4 1/2 with hock blade, K4 with hock blade, and for difficult grain my LVBUJ
I shouldn't be saying this, because I can still walk into my shop and therefore don't have enough planes, but the Wards Master series of planes is under-appreciated and therefore affordably priced.
And LV's irons are terrific: flat and, out of the box, sharp.
K 4 is the earlier Keen Kutter hardware store brand of planes. These were made by Stanley and are the rounded side older bedrock design. The number follows the Stanley convension, i.e. a K 4 is a smoother, K 5 is a jack, etc. There are also KK # out there that are a later Keen Kutter plane that are, I think, made by Sargent and are of the Bailey pattern.
Last edited by Phillip Pattee; 02-23-2010 at 6:52 PM. Reason: fix typo
Thank you for that info, Phillip!
I'll post our list tomorrow, along with the alphabetized list from a couple of years ago, and I'll keep adding to the current list as long as you send in your Best Smoothing Plane.
Brian
Veni Vidi Vendi Vente! I came, I saw, I bought a large coffee!
I believe Ohio tool also made Keen Kutters KK version.
Gotta go with my LN 4 1/2 - extra special with my recent Cocobolo tote/knob upgrade from Drozs totes.
With skill and tool we put our trust and when that won't do then power we must.
Veritas BU Smoother
Krenov Style
Krenov Style - even with a big mouth
Krenov style Mesquite plane bedded at 55°
Lee Valley / Veritas #4-1/2
Lee Valley / Veritas Bevel Up Jack
Lee Valley / Veritas Bevel Up Jack with 38° iron
Lee Valley / Veritas Bevel Up Smoother
Lee Valley / Veritas Bevel Up Smoother
Lee Valley / Veritas Bevel Up Smoother
Lee Valley / Veritas Bevel Up Smoother
Lee Valley / Veritas Bevel Up Smoother
Lee Valley / Veritas Bevel Up Smoother
Lee Valley / Veritas BU Smoother (12 ° bed, 62 ° included angle)
Lie Nielsen 4-1/2
Lie Nielsen 4-1/2 (with Cocobolo!)
Lie Nielsen 4-1/2 with 45° and 55° Frog
Lie Nielsen 4-1/2 with 55° Frog
Lie Nielsen 5-1/2
Lie Nielsen 5-1/2
Lie Nielsen 5-1/2
Lie Nielsen Bronze #4 New Chip Breaker, HAF
Marcou BU15 (15 degree bed, 60 degree included angle)
Mathieson Infill
Norris #5 -style Infill
Record 4 1/2 with hock blade
Ron Brese Custom Infill
Stanley #3 Infill
Stanley #3 type 11
Stanley Keen Kutter - K4 with Hock Blade
Wards Master with Lee Valley O1 Iron
Veni Vidi Vendi Vente! I came, I saw, I bought a large coffee!
Bridge City CT-12
Coffin
Coffin
Clark and Williams York Pitch
ECE 711
ECE Primus
HNT Gordon
HNT Gordon - T1 HSS blade
Japanese Plane
Japanese Plane
Japanese Plane - Shop=made with help of Inomoto-san
Japanese Plane - Yamamoto 120mm
Krenov
Krenov-made smoother
Lee Valley Bevel Up Smoother
Lee Valley Bevel Up Smoother
Lee Valley Bevel Up Smoother
Lee Valley Veritas Low Angle Smoother
Lie-Nielsen #4
Lie-Nielsen 4-1/2
Lie-Nielsen 64 Low Angle Jack - 36° iron
Light Woodie
Marcou Infill
Marcou S15
Mathieson Infill
Millers Falls #14
Mujingfang
Norris A5 Infill
Norris A5 style Infill - Shop-made
Norris Infill
Ron Brese
Ron Brese Kit
Sauer and Steiner Infill
Shepherd Infill kit - Shop-made
St James Bay Infill Kit
Stanley Bedrock 603 - refinished
Stanley #4 type 7 with Lie-Nielsen .125 blade
Stanley with Hock Blade
Stanley#3 Infill Smoother
Steve Knight Padouk Coffin
Wards Master #4
Veni Vidi Vendi Vente! I came, I saw, I bought a large coffee!
I was kind of surprised to only see one Record and no Miller Falls or Sargents. I think they are very nice planes and a nice alternative to Stanleys.