Hello again

[Zach Dillinger]

Thread Hijack Alert - Just one off topic question for Zach please before I am thrown out. Do you prefer single iron or double iron planes in your older Dutch/English lineup?

Single irons are my preference David. I've never found the need to have the benefits that the double iron purports to offer (I work mostly with walnut and pine) and it just adds a complication in making, sharpening, and tuning the planes. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.

[John Schtrumpf]

I'm almost 64 and I prefer LV. Probably because I have always liked gadgets.

[Stewie Simpson]

+1 on wooden bodied bench and joinery planes.

[David Eisenhauer]

Thanks Zack and apologies to Bob W for the hijack. As to the initial question, I tend to prefer the Stanley Baily line, although I do use a couple of double iron wooden planes. I was gifted a bronze LN #4 and it works very well, but it is a heavy beast. While I have gotten used to it and use it for final smoothing, I bet I would have put it back down on the shelf if I had been able to heft it before buying it. I feel like LV is doing some innovative design work on their tools or improvements on older designs and turning out good quality "users" in their various offerings, but I don't buy much new stuff in planes. I am waiting on a wooden plow plane that I have on order. I am also another of the "older guys".

[Joe Tilson]

I'm 71 and have a mixed collection of of Stanley/Bailey, Sargent, Sears, Craftsman,Millers Falls, Shelton, and Union. I have one LN bronze 102. We just don't have the money to invest in the premium brands. I use all of them from time to time, but favor the Millers Falls. Sargent is next. Just remembered having the LV large router and scrub planes. My wife can't stand for me to find some poor rusty old plane that's looking for a home, because she knows I'll be begging to take it with us.

I have noticed the higher prices for planes and such. $25.00 seems to be the new $10.00.

[steven c newman]

Turned 65 this year...and prefer my Bailey and Millers Falls planes.....still learning on the WR #62....
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YMMV..
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[Bruce Haugen]

I was dangerously close to 50, twenty years ago 😱. Most of my planes are Stanley, but all my specialty planes are LV, with the exception of a St James Bay smoother.