Veritas has introduced two low-angle block planes. The DX60 and NX60 are identical in dimension, function, and performance. They have stainless steel fittings, a 12° bed, and the same features. They measure 1-3/4 in. wide by 7 in. long and have a 1-5/8-in.-wide A2-steel blade. The main difference is that the more-polished NX60 (right) is cast from nickel-resist ductile iron, a high-end material that has the corrosion resistance of stainless steel but is far more costly and time-consuming to mill. By contrast, the DX60 is cast from ductile iron. Polish and form aside, both planes demonstrate sleek styling and attention to detail.

For this review, I put the DX60 through its paces. The sole was milled dead flat, the blade lapped perfectly flat, and the bevel ground precisely to 23°. The secondary bevel was honed at 25°. In short, the plane required no setup. I took it out of the box, adjusted the blade, and went to work.

The Norris-style adjuster regulates both the depth and lateral setting of the blade. The precise machining results in minimal backlash, a mere eighth of a turn.

These new planes performed wonderfully. Anyone looking for a low-angle block plane would be hard-pressed to find a better tool. The DX60 sells for $190 and the NX60 for $300. Both are available from Lee Valley Tools, www.leevalleytools.com.

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