OK, I see a lot of info on planes - Lie Nielsen is great! So are Clifton. And so are Lee Valley.
But rarely do I see them talked about in context of each other. So some questions:
1) How does a Lie Nielsen compare to a Clifton?? Anyone have both?? (If I'm going to spend $300 on one good plane, what's the difference between these two? I'm quite sure I'd enjoy both, but - loaded question of the day - which one is better?)
2) I've read LN and Clifton don't need to be 'tuned up' (except for blade sharpening) when you get one. What about a Lee Valley?? Besides blade how much do you have to do to get them in excellent shape? (Lap soles, tune/flatten frogs??)
3) How does Lee Valley compare to LN/Clifton? I'd expect the later two to be better given the prices. But how much better??
And the odd-ball question: I've got a new Stanley's that I'm tuning up and getting into good shape. It really work nice after some work. I'm always curious how the Stanley knock-offs compare, given it's harder and harder to find Stanley - new or old at a good price. Anant reviews I've seen are pretty bad. But can't find any on Kunz? How do Kunz planes compare to an old Stanley? Do they need a lot of work to get in good shape, and do they stay in shape after the tuning? Are they pretty reasonable or are they to be avoided (like Anant). I don't see many people selling them, so I question their quality, but it's not based on any reviews or facts that I can find.
Thanks,
Perry