Replies

1. 
   _mj_ | Jan 24, 2023 08:34pm | #1

   Replace if you want the full width, sharpen it and try it out to see what your dad was up to. I'd try it before I sunk cash into it.

2. 
   jharveyb | Jan 24, 2023 10:40pm | #2

   I've owned a #7 and a #8 for over 40 years, and have never needed a wider blade than the 2&3/8" in the #7. I mostly use mine for edge jointing, which has not been over 2" ever. So sharpen it up and try it out. If you decide you want to sink some money into it later, you can replace the blade and chip breaker either with something like a Hock, or find a replacement Stanley blade.

3. 
   joeleonetti | Feb 01, 2023 05:53pm | #3

   Depending on which hand plane I use, I have original vintage, Lie Nielsen, Veritas, and Hock blades. I have never ever felt the need to change from one type to another. The all seem to work well. Out of habit, I sharpen frequently so if there is any advantage of edge durability, I don't see it. I also don't buy into "needing" thick irons. I think it is completely unnecessary. I've been using hand tools for 7 years as a hobby woodworker. It's not that much time but that's what I've observed. It seems as if all hobbies have the accessorize your "tool"/swap out your OEM parts options and I'm not convinced they are necessary.

4. 
   user-256638 | Feb 15, 2023 02:51pm | #4

   Welcome to a new obsession. You are on the right track - clean that old plane up, flatten the sole, sharpen the blade and put it to work. That blade will work just fine as long as you sharpen it properly. You'll find your way soon enough if you do. 2 most important things with hand planes are sharp blades and flat soles. Look up Rob Cosman on youtube, he has excellent lessons on sharpening and using planes. Your dad most likely didnt like the heavy resistance the wide blade required, used the Kleen kutter blade for heavier wide cuts on a flat board. Probably had the stanley blade set aside and used it for other planing operations. One blade sharpened convex for scrub work and other sharpened flat for fine cuts. Try a little parafin wax on the sole it will make your work alot easier. One advantage to a new replacement blade vs an old stanley is they are flat enough to easily sharpen and put to work. I've spent too much time trying to flatten old abused stanley blades to mess with that anymore. I have an old stanley #4 that I picked up at an antique store for $15, put a Hock blade in it and put it to work.