NYC Kez (Kezurou-kai mini) 2016 at Mokuchi

[Brian Holcombe]

Good morning! In addition to competing in the event, I was able to cover the event with a blog post. I know many were curious about the event since I posted a bit on my preparations and so I thought you guys might like to check it out.

https://brianholcombewoodworker.com/2016/09/09/mokuchis-3rd-annual-nyc-kez-2016/

Cheers
Brian

[Ted Calver]

Very interesting. Would love to have been there. Thanks Brian.

[Jim Koepke]

The conversion of 8 microns for the shaving is ~0.0003" for those who may be interested.

Only a few of my metal planes can get down into the sub 0.001" range.

Are any contests held for the thickest continuous shavings possible?

jtk

[Pat Barry]

The conversion of 8 microns for the shaving is ~0.0003" for those who may be interested.

Only a few of my metal planes can get down into the sub 0.001" range.

Are any contests held for the thickest continuous shavings possible?

jtk
I think a well tuned metal bodied plane could achieve equivalent thin shavings. That is, I don't see anything about a wood bodied plane that's superior but the pulling motion might be the thing that adds consistency to the effort. Pulling might make control under these slow planing efforts easier to accomplish. No doubt the single biggest factor though is getting a razor sharp edge across the entire width of the plane blade.

[John Kananis]

Very cool and sorry I missed it - so impossible to get a day off of work...

[Jim Koepke]

I think a well tuned metal bodied plane could achieve equivalent thin shavings. That is, I don't see anything about a wood bodied plane that's superior but the pulling motion might be the thing that adds consistency to the effort. Pulling might make control under these slow planing efforts easier to accomplish. No doubt the single biggest factor though is getting a razor sharp edge across the entire width of the plane blade.

Yes, a well tuned metal plane can take thin shavings.

The difference is the planes used in these competitions may be superior due to the care involved in making them contest ready. Depending on any of my metal plane's intended use, its fettling usually doesn't go beyond being able to simply make an even shaving.

jtk

[Rob Luter]

I find these Japanese style planes fascinating. Where does one go to purchase something like this?

https://brianholcombewoodworkerblog.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/mg_2092.jpg?w=529

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks guys, glad you are finding this interesting.

Rob, So Yamashita got mine for me :)

There is a lot too it, as you saw in my previous two posts. The main factors of course are flatness of the blade, sharpness and quality of the edge across the full width of the blade (a very minor chip makes a split in the shaving at that level). I can take an incredibly fine shaving with my metal planes, but nothing as thin as the kanna, there is more to the sole than meets the eye in my experience with tuning the dai.

[John Schtrumpf]

In case anyone missed it, congratulations to Brian. He made it on the Mokuchi Facebook page in a short video:

https://www.facebook.com/mokuchistudio/videos/vb.148259908584714/1091479307596098/?type=2&theater

PS. I hope that link works, FB is ...

[Patrick Chase]

I think a well tuned metal bodied plane could achieve equivalent thin shavings. That is, I don't see anything about a wood bodied plane that's superior but the pulling motion might be the thing that adds consistency to the effort. Pulling might make control under these slow planing efforts easier to accomplish. No doubt the single biggest factor though is getting a razor sharp edge across the entire width of the plane blade.

Metal planes can certainly get down to half a mil or so, and there's no reason in theory why sole material would make a difference.

In practice I suspect it's easier to achieve with wood. The reason I say that is because I think that being able to manipulate the sole profile (as Brian described in a previous post) is useful when trying for the thinnest possible shaving, and that's a lot less onerous with a wooden sole.

[Patrick Chase]

Interesting range of sartorial choices there. As in: Everybody's wearing jeans + T-shirt except for that one perfectly coiffed dude in the button-down shirt and slacks...

Looking dapper as always, Brian :-)

[Pat Barry]

Yes, a well tuned metal plane can take thin shavings.

The difference is the planes used in these competitions may be superior due to the care involved in making them contest ready. Depending on any of my metal plane's intended use, its fettling usually doesn't go beyond being able to simply make an even shaving.

jtk
Exactly what I'm saying. I'd think there might be similar planing competitions for metal planes. I'd suspect those competitors also go to great detail in their plane setup, not some everyday type stuff.

Brian, by the way. Excellent documentation of the events _ sounds like you had a great time. So, did you learn some secrets you could pass on?

[Andrew Hughes]

I have one Kanna that I mess with sometimes.Its baffles me how the plane feels like it hooks its self down in a cut.Im sure it's the way I have scraped the sole.With the infeed side down lower then the out feed.
I can appreciate the skill it takes to get a shaving so thin.
The Tasai plane looked killer.

Thanks for sharing.

Aj

[Brian Holcombe]

In case anyone missed it, congratulations to Brian. He made it on the Mokuchi Facebook page in a short video:

https://www.facebook.com/mokuchistudio/videos/vb.148259908584714/1091479307596098/?type=2&theater

PS. I hope that link works, FB is ...

Thank you!


Metal planes can certainly get down to half a mil or so, and there's no reason in theory why sole material would make a difference.

In practice I suspect it's easier to achieve with wood. The reason I say that is because I think that being able to manipulate the sole profile (as Brian described in a previous post) is useful when trying for the thinnest possible shaving, and that's a lot less onerous with a wooden sole.

Exactly, and two contact points which I've not seen on a metal plane.


Interesting range of sartorial choices there. As in: Everybody's wearing jeans + T-shirt except for that one perfectly coiffed dude in the button-down shirt and slacks...

Looking dapper as always, Brian :-)

Lol! You know I just can't resist. Actually I think Jude was wearing an OCBD as well.


Exactly what I'm saying. I'd think there might be similar planing competitions for metal planes. I'd suspect those competitors also go to great detail in their plane setup, not some everyday type stuff.

Brian, by the way. Excellent documentation of the events _ sounds like you had a great time. So, did you learn some secrets you could pass on?

Thank you! I learned a few things, I had been stropping and it was suggested to me to either sharpen again after or stop stropping and so I learned that while stropping is great for my everyday it actually made it more difficult to get incredibly thin shavings.


I have one Kanna that I mess with sometimes.Its baffles me how the plane feels like it hooks its self down in a cut.Im sure it's the way I have scraped the sole.With the infeed side down lower then the out feed.
I can appreciate the skill it takes to get a shaving so thin.
The Tasai plane looked killer.

Thanks for sharing.

Aj

My pleasure!

[Pat Barry]

Was the dual contact point setup typical for the others in the competition also Brian?

[Kees Heiden]

That must have been fun!

How did you like sawing with the Maebeki? Did it go throughthe log at a decent speed? And how would your body feel after sawing a log like that? :)

[Brian Holcombe]

That was a blast, having a crowd cheer after taking a shaving is a whole lot different than what happens in the workshop. Lol!

The maebiki was great, considering the thickness of the log it moved fairly quickly. I have a great deal of respect for the people who used to do it day-in and day-out.

[Brian Holcombe]

Now published in Fine Woodworking;
http://www.finewoodworking.com/2016/09/19/3rd-annual-nyc-kez

[Rich Riddle]

Brian,

That blog was very interesting to read. Though I don't have the patience to take a piece of wood down from a log, it was interesting to read.

[Brian Holcombe]

Thanks Rich! When you are working along with about 10~ guys it's fast, we split that log in 1/2 hour or so.

[John Kananis]

That yariganna looks really really cool. Ever use one, Brian?

[Prashun Patel]

"Though I don't have the patience to take a piece of wood down from a log".

You're still a real man in my book, Rich.

[Christopher Charles]

Good to see your blog reaching a widening audience!

[Brian Holcombe]

Good to see your blog reaching a widening audience!

Thank you!


That yariganna looks really really cool. Ever use one, Brian?

I have, at the show, they're a lot of fun!

[James Pallas]

Brian, What do you do with the plane you prepared for the kez? Do you put it in a safe deposit box until next show or do you just use it and build another next year?
Jim

[Brian Holcombe]

Haha, I should shrink wrap it and leave it for next year, or put it in the humidor. I keep it set with a flat bevel but I use it with all of the rest of them. I'll set it up again for supremely thin shavings next year.