I got the urge to put a little time on the LV BU Smoother I got on Cyber Monday. Just havent used her and felt like planing for a few minutes just for "fun". (Sick, I know.)

Grabbed a 2' scrap, brushed it off and set to work. After a few minutes I noticed small ridges in the wood. On my bevel downs, that usually indicates a chipped blade. So I turned over this brand new plane and see a bunch of deep scratches on the sole and the blade. Dont know what grime I failed to brush off, but man it did a number on me. Felt sick to my stomach - I dont have an hour on this tool yet.

After I stopped swearing, I got out some 220 grit sandpaper, glued it to my flat plate, and tried to work out the scratches. Only got about half - they were deep and I was reluctant to get this high performance tool out of tolerances. (Checked and its still flat and takes a .002 shaving, which is about normal/avereage for my sharpening skill level.) So I didnt screw her up.

But she's still scratched. AAAARRRRRRGHHHH!