I use my power tools to mile my wood, but after finishing with the jointer/planner I always hit it with hand planes to remove the roughness from the power tool.
I had several planes such as LN 7 1/2, Jack Plane, low angle block plane, medium shoulder plane, Scrub plane and I have (I regret this one) LV 4 1/2.
I cannot make it work the LV 4 1/2. I sharp the blade and keep the mouth close enough to have thin shaves, but after any try it creates ridges, loose its sharp too quick, it is rust prone, well you got the idea, I hate this plane. I tried to crown the blade to avoid the ridges, no luck. So I am using my Jack as an smoother with the crown blade and it works fine but it is too narrow.
I am planning to buy a new smooth plane or something similar but I am tore in between options. I can replace it for LN 4 1/2 but I was thinking to get a low angle jack plane or low angle smooth plane.
I like the idea of the low angle because it is versatile. I was also thinking to get a scraper plane for difficult woods.
The problem is I don't have that kind of money floating around here and It has to be a LN. I don't want to deal again with LV planes.
Could the LA smooth replace the 4 1/2?
Could the LA smooth work as smoother and as LA Jack?
Could the LA Jack replace the smoother?
Any sugestions?