Tony Zona
Contributor

I've got a "starter" plane with a Hock iron and cap iron at your disposal, if you change your mind.

Plenty of decent hunnert dolla examples on eBay if you're shopping. The main thing to determine is the usable length of the blade.

It should be longer than it is wide.

Avoid split or cracked Dai (the wooden body).

Browse Brian Holcombe's excellent blog for setup guidance. He managed to get what little I know across, when I was baffled and slow on the uptake.

https://brianholcombewoodworker.com/...anna-dai-prep/

Oh, Jim, thanks, but I better pass on that. I have not dropped or hurt tools, however, I wouldn’t want my first time to be with one of yours.

‘’you are very generous. Thank you.

I have an embarrassment of Japanese planes.
I would gladly send you one to "test drive".

Don't spend any dosh, yet.