Preview of latest review plane

[Derek Cohen]

I am pretty excited about the next plane I am preparing to review. It promises to be pretty special. I thought you all would appreciate a little preview.

Philip Marcow, from New Zealand, is a new planemaker with just a few planes to his name to date, but these have already received high praise (some of it here on SMC). See his recent interview on Handplane Central:

http://www.handplane.com/archives/105

Philip has just completed the first short production run of his smoother, one that is in the same vein as the Holtey #98. These are bevel up configuration, double dovetailed in brass and steel, 15° bed, and an adjustable mouth. Philip has machined every part with the exception of the Veritas A2 blade.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Philips%20plane%20pics/Smaller1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Philips%20plane%20pics/Smaller2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Philips%20plane%20pics/Smaller3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Philips%20plane%20pics/smaller4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Philips%20plane%20pics/smaller5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Philips%20plane%20pics/smaller6.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

I am waiting impatiently for the review plane to arrive in the mail. From my correspondence with Philip I have a large collection of images taken during the construction of his planes. His attention to detail is incredible. Perhaps we could get an article out of this on plane building as well. That should be really interesting.

Until later.

Regards from Perth

Derek

[tod evans]

tease!!!!!!!

[Michael Gibbons]

wow!! They

[Michael Gibbons]

wow!! They Look BEEEEUTIFUL.

[Tyler Howell]

Those are awwwwwwwesome!!!!:cool: :cool:

[Mark Singer]

I would be afraid to use it.....I would just polish it and look at it:rolleyes:

[Tony Sade]

Derek:

Like Mark, I'd be afraid to touch something that nice. I do have a couple of questions, if you're in a position to answer:

1. Why did he make the blade so short? Given the position of the adjuster, it doesn't look like there's room for a much longer blade, but in its current configuration, judging from the hold down on the cap iron, there doesn't appear to be much more than 3/8" of additional blade.

2. Am I correct in assuming that the little slot in the large dovetail results from the positioning of the shoe?

3. What's the price range for these things? (Always helps quench even remote thoughts of owning one to know just how impossibly far out of reach such drool-worthy tools are.)

Thanks

[Hank Knight]

I'm suffering from plane envy!

[Bruce Branson]

I see some little knobs in front of the blade.Do they have adjustable mouths?

[Derek Cohen]

Tony asked,

<I>1. Why did he make the blade so short? Given the position of the adjuster, it doesn't look like there's room for a much longer blade, but in its current configuration, judging from the hold down on the cap iron, there doesn't appear to be much more than 3/8" of additional blade.</I>

The blade is the same as used in the Veritas BUS, LAJ, and BUJ. These are substantial blades, A2 metal, 3/16" thick and more than long enough.

<I>2. Am I correct in assuming that the little slot in the large dovetail results from the positioning of the shoe?</I>

The slot is the adjustable mouth. Here is a picture of the sole.

<center> <div><img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Philips%20plane%20pics/Mouth.jpg" border="0" alt="" /> <br /></center>

<I>3. What's the price range for these things? (Always helps quench even remote thoughts of owning one to know just how impossibly far out of reach such drool-worthy tools are.)</I>

I cannot answer this for now. I know how much Philip has insured the plane for shipping, but I do not know if this is also the price. Perhaps Philip will respond after his weekend at a knifemakers show.

Mark

If I were Philip, I would certainly hope that the customer used my planes rather than put them on a shelf. Of course, we know that some just collect planes for their beauty, like art (which they are). I can think of no more sensual experience than using the perfect handtool (keep your mind clean now!).

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Derek Cohen]

<I>I see some little knobs in front of the blade.Do they have adjustable mouths?</I>

Yes.

[Brett Baldwin]

I remember these from not too long ago when Philip introduced himself here with these spectacular planes. Although I'm not experienced enough to appreciate the working qualities of these yet, I can definitely appreciate the craftsmanship just by the pictures. I'll be looking forward to your impression of them.