I thought to myself this morning “I’m just going to go to JK’s website and order a plane from him. He’s stopped making cabinets, and his health and eyesight are failing, and who knows how much longer he’s going to be around. I can’t afford a cabinet anyways… I’m just gonna do it. Don’t care what a plane costs, just want something made by him to treasure. I’ll be a Jedi myself oneday, but that Economaki quote has really been resonating with me lately. JK’s kind of a special dude. Here I go, I’m at his website…. Crap, what? No more orders until further notice? He’s overwhelmed. Bummer.”
That’s what I thought to myself this morning.
“I believe a person’s behavior can be modified by surrounding themselves with examples of quality.” –John Economaki
Peace, love, and posole,
JM
Replies
Well it might be second best but.. you could build one yourself in his style and fit it to your hands. That might be in the spirit of JK and you can still give credit for the inspiration when the next guy comes along and tries it. After all the plane doesn't play the music till you pick up the instrument..
good luck
dan
I've made a couple; one turned out well, the other did not. I'm working on a jointer right now; well, I should say was working on a jointer. It's been months since I started it.
It's really a fun thing to do (making your own tools). I would like to try a spokeshave soon, as well as turning some old files into screwdrivers, or 'turnscrews' as some call them.
Have a good day,
JM"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid." - Frank Zappa
For some good ideas on spokeshaves and parts go to
http://www.windsorchairresources.com
look in the tools needed section and explore the suppliers.some of the guys sell blades and some reasonable parts for your first go. I really like the designs of the woodjoy shaves. they have some clever adjustment devices that make working with the shave a sheer pleasure. no pun intended.
dan
How many planes do you think he is/was making? And I wonder the price ($$$)?
-Nazard
Not sure on either account, but I can imagine he's not running a production line. If I had to guess I would say less than 10/month, but that is completely arbitrary and uninformed.
"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid." - Frank Zappa
Here ya go - $1500 worth of firewood:
That's unfortunate... Is that a JK made plane? Assuming so since you mentioned the $$$.
Not a good performer?? Looks interesting; I would have imagined a newer plane to have a Hock iron; that doesn't really look like one. I'd like a little more information on your experience.
Thanks,
JM"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid." - Frank Zappa
Yes, that's a JK original, sold by him on ebay for + or - $1200, IIRC. You're right - no Hock iron on that plane. The person who bought it tried unsuccessfully to resell it months later and did not even get a bid ($1200 opening bid with a reserve of $1500)
Just not my cup of tea - hence the firewood remark. I won't go any further discussing the plane as my original remarks sparked quite a heated discussion a year or so ago.
Good luck with your endeavor.
Lee
JM
This was my experience ...
http://www.wkfinetools.com/contrib/dCohen/z_art/KrenovPlane/krenovPlane1.asp
Merry Christmas
Regards from Perth
Derek
Thanks, Derek. I always enjoy reading your posts and reviews.
Regards,
JM"Without music to decorate it, time is just a bunch of boring production deadlines and dates by which bills must be paid." - Frank Zappa
Derek
I'm curious.....does the JK plane work any better than the ones that you have made yourself?? If so, why??
I've never understood the desire to pay from $300.00 up to (IIRC) as much as $1200.00 plus (ebay) for a homemade wooden plane with a $40.00 hock iron that looks like it was carved with an axe, unless it has sentimental value having been a student of his, or something of the sort.....
Jeff
Could ya'll bring me up to speed on this thread please? Jimmy
$600.00, as quoted by the man himself. He asked if I'd like to be put on a waiting list. I didn't bother to reply. The price seems ridiculous.
$600.00, as quoted by the man himself.
$600?
What a freakin' deal!
Let him know I sell 3 Hock irons, 3 wood blanks, and a rabid beaver for $250.
Those rabid beavers aren't easy to come by, but they make one hell of a plane. Tough to get them to stop, so you have to catch them just right or they will make toothpicks out of your plane bodies.
:) Lee
Lee,
Korky the cat is shaping various corners of my (wooden) shed with his claws. Just before he begins I can see him thinking about how Mr Krenov would aproach the task.
Unfortunately none of the shed corners is looking anything like a plane body, although the front-right corner does have a fair resemblance to one o' them $600 items that wuz mentioned. Obviously Korky's kontemplations are having their effect (unless I am just viewing that shed corner wishfully, of course).
Perhas he is trying to make a little cabinet on stalky legs, to keep the spare mice in?
I did try to train a cat once but lost too much blood, so gave up. I have been watching the cat train the ladywife instead. He has given me many tips for a successful outcome.
Lataxe, brass&steel fondler. (Wood is for cabinets).
This is no different to horses for courses, I recall you running a basic car, (as do I) yet spend serious money on planes of your choice. The point being to all that where spare cash is concerned it will find a home.
How many try using wooden planes, either bought or home made? Provided a source of income is not at stake there is immeasurable fun to be gained by trying every option available, and if it does not work for one it may for another.
Mufti of green gables
Moof,
There is no opposition from me regarding wooden planes nor to folk who make them. Indeed, I admire them lads as makes tools of every sort and quality.
No, I was sort of joining Lee in taking a bit of mick out of the idea that a rather badly-made lumpen-tool is worth a $zillion (or even 5 bob) just because it was made by Saint K. It's reminiscent of folk who used to buy the alleged toe bone of St Francis or the tooth of the centurian that did The Very Bad Thing, with the idea that this will produce some sort of magic effect.
Of course, psychology is a weird thang.
Lataxe, who was taught kat-kalling by Korky, a cat not easily bamboozled.
I can see why--Mr. Krenov has a special connection with cats...
Tina,
Unfortunately we have lost our connection with Korky, who has been missing for a week now. We suspect he has at last lost a fight with a wild and toothy beast during his nightly travels - he had a terrible habit of picking fights with dog-like things, usually suffering nobbut a wound on his battling-paw leg.
So, we are all very miserable in out house just now, with stifled sobs, glum looks and failed efforts to find something to be happy about.
But all things pass, including the glums. Monty the dog has been trying to cheer me up with his antics.
Lataxe
I'm so sorry... My dad, JK, always had a cat in his workshop, and it was a very comforting and special thing. He would sympathize.
Lataxe,
Tough thing to have Korky come missing. Hope he turns up, with only a new battle scar and a story to tell.
But a cat is, ultimately, a wild thing at heart, isn't he?
Ray
Lataxe
Sorry to hear about your cat. I sure hope he turns up. If it's any consolation, (which I'm sure it's not) one of my barn/yard cats, Frick, showed up after 2 months on the road to who know's where.
His brother, Frack, is still MIA, but at least now I know it's possible.
Jeff
Lataxe, like Jeff, I too have had toms that have gone on rather long walk-abouts, only to return much skinnier and often with scarred up cheeks - evidence of contests involving flurries of forepaws to the sides of the head. Keep up hopes.
Is he a ginger, by any chance? I've known several great gingers.
I'm curious.....does the JK plane work any better than the ones that you have made yourself?? If so, why??
Hi Jeff
I guess that this one could go into the "spiritual" category.
Through his books, JK has always been a major guiding hand in my thoughts about working with wood. I get to use and own some amazingly beautiful handplanes, chisels and handsaws. I write about them, either in reviews or advice. I have, too, built my fair share. This, no doubt, must convey the impression that I am a tool-head. I do not think of myself that way. Some tools are simply art in a tool form. I am, if anything, an art-head. In particular, I have a passion for woodgrain.
JK's writings stirred me when I read them many years ago. I re-read them often. His endeavours are on a different plane to those of my daily job, as a clinical psychologist specialising in childhood neuropsychological and emotional disorders. I have always tinkered for stress release, but this has gradually focussed into fine woodworking over the past decade-and-a-half. I live in woodworking seclusion. Outside of the forums (and a tiny number of woodworking-interested friends) the passion remains a private expression .... if I mention something to do with wood or tools, my (non-woodworking) friends smile ruefully and change the subject. My family smile tolerantly and change the subject. None share the passion for wood (although it must be said that my wife loves the furniture I make). So back I go to JK's books, and am sustained once again ...
I bought one of his planes because it is a memento of a great artist and craftsman. I do not think of it as $300-worth-of-handplane. It gets used quite often (it works very well). I think of the plane as a concept. It is so ugly that it focusses one on the real essence of woodworking, the wood itself. And every time I pick it up it I visualise JK standing there, and we have the best of discussions ....
Regards from Perth
Derek
And every time I pick it up it I visualise JK standing there, and we have the best of discussions ....
Sounds like somebody needs a trip to the psychiatrist....
;)
Lee
I am able to relate to quite a bit of this post. Well put.
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