Hrm. . .which planes do I like the best?
Depends on the task at hand. For teeny-tiny work, like literally smoothing a small bump due to an underlying knot? The #2 I purchased that takes a whisper-thin shaving.
For smoothing? I prefer my LN 4 1/2 done at York pitch. It leaves the best finish of any of my planes. For spot work, I like my #603 with a SW iron, or my #604 with the PM-V11 iron (depends on the wideness of spot work).
For generally flattening, my #8 and #8C are monsters. I love those things, but they're only good for big work. Anything less than about 30 inches and they tend to create humps in the middle of work easily.
Then I have a Type 11 #5 that I use for getting rid of roughness and generally getting it to something resembling non-rough cut lumber.
And then, there's my #51 LN Shooter. I wish I could use that more, but alas. . .It's just for shooting.
So all in all, I like all my planes and can't really pick a "favorite". I do prefer the Bedrocks over Bailey. To me, they just feel more solid and can take a much thinner shaving, but I know it's all subjective. So instead of debating that with people, I just skirt that issue and say that I have a soft spot for how they look. They're rather sharp planes.
Last edited by Adam Cruea; 07-21-2014 at 11:11 AM.
The Barefoot Woodworker.
Fueled by leather, chrome, and thunder.