I just ordered two Lie Nielsen planes. Knowing very little about hand tools I was hoping these would be usable right out of the box. I figured I would have to flaten and sharpen the iron, but was hoping not to have to mess with the sole of the plane. I've never done that before, and the the thought of rubbing on that beautiful bronze body scares the heck out of me. Also I sharpen with a worksharp 3000, and I know that would not be the method of a true Neander, but it is what my limited skills allow.
PS over the years I have added a few decent hand tools to my shop and never seemed to use them. But this last project, I did pull out a 2 year old Veritas block plane that had never been used. I thought it was the greatest thing in the world. I used it every chance I could and thought it was the sharpest tool in the world. Then I found out you have to sharpen them first. Same thing for my two cherries chisels, been using them right out of the box because they were by far the sharpest thing that was ever in my shop. Then yesterday I sharpened one and wow. Is there anyone in the Omaha area that would have time to show me a few things about hand tools. I would gladly pay for your time.
Thank You
Mike