Lie nielsen no. 1

[Zach England]

Just curious...does anyone own a Lie Nielsen no. 1? What is it like? It looks to me like it would be very difficult to hold.

http://www.lie-nielsen.com/images/No1.jpg

[Dave Matson]

christopher schwarz addressed the holding issue in a recent blog post:

http://blog.woodworking-magazine.com/blog/Small+Planes+For+Fast+Work.aspx

[Jim Koepke]

I own one and use it occasionally. Many of my planes only get used occasionally. The workhorses are called that for a reason.

There was a thread on the #1 not long ago:

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?p=450835#poststop

In one of my posts in the thread is an image of a one handed grip that works for me.

The grip Christopher Schwarz shows in his article is another grip that also works for me on all my planes up to a #4 size.

jim

[Eric Brown]

It's a white bronze one and I have used it but I like using the L-V premium block plane much more. About the same size but many more blade angles possible. Easier to adjust too.

That said, the #1 in white bronze (walnut handles) looks very nice sitting right next to my #2, the #66 beading, the 102 &103 block planes, all of them also in white bronze. (Yes dear I have a problem, I think I might be a collector. No wait - it's an investment. Yeh, thats it.)

Eric

PS: I do use them when needed.

[Zach England]

OK, thanks for the replies. I did a search, but somehow missed the thread. Seeing it in the hand it looks like the sibling to the little Lee Valley shoulder plane.

[Jim Koepke]

Looking at the little Lee Valley shoulder plane had me wanting one. Then I started thinking about where and how much it would be used.

If I was still working, I could buy it and the marking gauge and get in on the "good deal" for a couple of tools. The marking gauge would likely get the most use.

Instead, I am looking at an older #60 and maybe a modern LA BU Jack Plane to use on my shooting board.

jim

[Zach England]

I want one of the little shoulder planes to use as a Christmas tree ornament.

[Michael Schwartz]

I want one of the little shoulder planes to use as a Christmas tree ornament.

o god, one for the shop, one for the Christmas tree, one as a paperweight on a desk. Might as well engrave them and use them as business cards for high end customers.

[Richard Niemiec]

Looking at the little Lee Valley shoulder plane had me wanting one. Then I started thinking about where and how much it would be used. jim

I would bet dimes to dollars the mini-LV would get more use than a #1.

[Jim Koepke]

I would bet dimes to dollars the mini-LV would get more use than a #1.

That may be, but my financial position is quite different than it was when the #1 was purchased.

I am still considering the little shoulder plane, but a lot of other things have to be considered ahead of it.

Retirement has some great advantages, but then there are a few disadvantages.

jim

[Tony Zaffuto]

I have a LN#1 (as well as a LN#2 and a whole herd of other LN's). It is not used much at all. I have used it by wrapping my fingers around the tote and onto he top of the blade. I got it as a present and intended to use it as a replacement for a block plane mainly because of the pain in my hands (57). I haven't yet reached that point!

[Bob Marino]

I had one - white bronze, just felt it was way too small for my hands; and I love the feel of a bock plane. After buying it, I never felt I had an application that warranted keeping it; ending up seling it.

Bob

[David Keller NC]

Just curious...does anyone own a Lie Nielsen no. 1? What is it like? It looks to me like it would be very difficult to hold.

Zach - I have both the #1 and the #2, and use them frequently in place of the 60-1/2 and #9 adjustable mouth block planes. The decision point is usually how much I have to take off a given board/project. If it's just a little, I use the block planes. However, if there's a fair bit to remove, I choose the #1 or the #2 because the grip on the block plane puts excessive pressure on the ends of my fingers and the side of my ring finger - to the point where it's painful.

There's another reason you might choose the #1 or the #2 in certain situations - length. Both are a bit longer than the block planes, so if you're working on a small item that demands a narrow and light plane, but maintaining straightness is important, the #1 fits the bill.

[Sam Takeuchi]

I think #1 is actually shorter than a #60-1/2.