Shopping for a block plane

[Monte Milanuk]

So... taking a trip to Canada next week (Ottawa, ON) and I think I might be able to wrangle a detour to the Lee Valley store at some point. :D I can and have ordered from them online before; just want to get something nice on this trip - but need to keep it small enough to fit in the luggage, etc.

I've been wanting a good block plane (as in, better than the Stanley I purchased at the local box store a few years ago) and figured this would be a good opportunity to upgrade. From what I've heard, the Veritas block planes are a little bigger than the LN versions, which is probably a good thing for me. The problem is... choices. Standard or low-angle? A2 vs. O1 vs PM-V11? Don't think I need any of the optional blades... not sure if the add-on handle doo-dads would be worth it... thinking about the chamfer attachment...

Any suggestions or recommendations?

[Stew Hagerty]

I have this block plane:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=47881&cat=1,41182,41189&ap=1
(http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=47881&cat=1,41182,41189&ap=1)
I then added their Large Tote and Front Knob

http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=41715&cat=1,41182,41189&ap=1

Then I picked up their 38* and 50* plus their 38* Toothed blade to make this one plane truly versatile.
Oh, and one more item:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=46296&cat=1,41182

(http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=46296&cat=1,41182)I use that Chamfer Guide quite often. This is far & away my favorite plane. Although my vintage #8 is very close behind.

[Kent A Bathurst]

Unfortunately, I don't think LV has the equivalent to my all-time favorite block plane - the LN LA Rabbet block.

OF the ones I saw on LV, the LA block would be the choice, I would guess.

[Michael Ray Smith]

I have this block plane:
http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=47881&cat=1,41182,41189&ap=1
(http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=47881&cat=1,41182,41189&ap=1)
I then added their Large Tote and Front Knob

http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=41715&cat=1,41182,41189&ap=1

Then I picked up their 38* and 50* plus their 38* Toothed blade to make this one plane truly versatile.
Oh, and one more item:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=46296&cat=1,41182

(http://www.leevalley.com/US/Wood/page.aspx?p=46296&cat=1,41182)I use that Chamfer Guide quite often. This is far & away my favorite plane. Although my vintage #8 is very close behind.

The LA block plane was one of the first decent tools I bought, and I still love it. Like Stew, I have all the extra doo-dads. Of the blades, the 25 degree gets the most use, followed by the 38 degree. I almost never use the highest angle. I've used the toothed blade only a few times, and when I did use it I was glad I had it, but I'd suggest not buying it until you know you can use it.

As for the knob and tote, I didn't like them at first, especially the tote, although I don't recall exactly what my complaint was. Now, I use both of them the majority of the time. Occasionally, I'll use the knob without the tote, but usually it's either both of them or neither of them because I want more of a one-handed plane.

As for the chamfer guide-- ABSOLUTELY. Fantastically handy.

[Judson Green]

Of the block planes I use (and I don't really seem to use em much anymore) its the small apron plane I reach for most.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

Best tool(s) I ever bought; the Veritas matched set of skewed block planes. They do so much so well.

[Archie England]

The DX60 is a fantastic user!!!!! I got the PMV11 blade. It's small enough to be my go to. The cool factor makes it more fun to use, too.

And, LV has an excellent skew rabbet block plane that is every bit as good as the DX60. The skewed blade is definite benefit for certain operations.

[Monte Milanuk]

Great stuff so far guys! Any thoughts on which steel for the blade? Is the PM-V11 worth it, or is it a pain to sharpen?

[Archie England]

Great stuff so far guys! Any thoughts on which steel for the blade? Is the PM-V11 worth it, or is it a pain to sharpen?


It works much like O1, much more so than A2

Worth it: I'm not convinced just yet. I've got two PMV11 test blades in my regular users (4 & 5), plus a few others in my block planes (LV) but I have not yet seen the length of use. Perhaps that more because, I don't have any chisel blades with PMV11, and that's what I'm hardest on.

[glenn bradley]

I have a couple of quality block planes. More often than not I find I reach for this (http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=46791&cat=1,41182,41189,46791) instead. LN has a similar offering here (https://www.lie-nielsen.com/product/small-block-planes). I only mention this since the smaller plane gets the lion's share of use in my shop for things you think of when you think of a block plane.

Oh yeah, and about PM-V11; it rocks. Since my first trial with it I have not ordered anything that comes with it, without it ;). It is almost laughable how long I can go between touch-ups on things like my smoother.

[John Sanford]

NX60, if they have one. I haven't seen it listed on the site. Mechanically the same as the DX60, but even more beautiful in the metal they use. It is longer and narrower than a LN60 1/2, which is a bit smaller than the Veritas Block Plane.

Did I mention that the NX60 is beautiful?

[Derek Cohen]

The LN #60 1/2 and the LV NX60 are exactly the same width. The NX60 is a little longer in the toe.

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/VeritasPremiumBlockPlane_html_67db55fa.jpg

I have a review of the DX/NX 60 here, in which they are compared with the LN 60 1/2 and the LV LA Block plane: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/VeritasPremiumBlockPlane.html

Jumping to the bottom line: "With regard to planing performance, there was little to choose between these well-tuned block planes. All are capable of a high order of performance."

What separates the block planes is ease of set up and ease of use ... and, finally, personal aesthetic preference.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[David Ragan]

I tend to get close-minded in buying stuff. Once I find a quality producer, I tend to stick with them, in that way, I want to minimize mistakes and the dreaded buyer's remorse.

In the picture below:

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/VeritasPremiumBlockPlane_html_67db55fa.jpg

I have often wondered if the LV digs into your palm? Logically I would say no, cause all their tools are of such high quality and design. But still, I just like that LN is traditional look.

the thing I do like about the LV is that it has a lateral blade adjustment in it. do they have the same great CS that LN has?

[Derek Cohen]

Hi David

The grip is over the top of the lever cap/handle, not from the rear. If you are forcing it from the rear, your blade is dull. :) From the top, the planes feel very similar. From the rear, the LN is more comfortable - but that is just hypothetical since one would not hold it there.

http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/VeritasPremiumBlockPlane_html_f713440.jpg

Regards from Perth

Derek

[glenn bradley]

do they have the same great CS that LN has?

I see both companies highly praised in the customer service area. Unlike so many other brands, people seem more often to place LV and LN in the same basket rather than comparing them as superior to each other. I think a lot of companies could learn about customer support and satisfaction from these two fine makers.

[Monte Milanuk]

Thanks everyone. I'll cross my fingers and hope they have a LA block plane with the PM-V11 iron in store. 2nd choice if they don't have that will probably be their cabinet scraper kit... always wanted one. The NX-60 looks really nice... a little *too* nice for my tastes at the moment ;)