Replies

1. 
   rod | Aug 17, 2004 05:30am | #1

   See the article in the latest Fine Woodworking by David Charlesworth, you might end up buying his books after reading the article.

2. 
   SoCalDon | Aug 17, 2004 05:30pm | #2

   Congratulations on your purchases. In my experience, Anants make good users when fully tuned and even with replacement blades are still unbeatable at the price. I use two sources for blades: http://www.hocktools.com or http://www.spehar-toolworks.com . STW is slightly cheaper than Hock with no drop off in quality.

1. 
   SCaseria | Aug 18, 2004 04:33pm | #3

   Don (and everyone else),

   I'm going to tune an 30-year old Stanley #5 plane after reading this month's FWW, and was about to purchase a LN A2 repalcement blade since you guys generally say good things about their products.

   Would you consider the hock or STW better than the LN (it cost about $38 with shipping).

   I'm a beginner, so any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

   EDIT: The STW site says theirs are flattened al around, but LN doesn't mention this. is this enough reason to go with the STW?

   6

   Edited 8/18/2004 9:49 am ET by 6milessouth

1. 
   SoCalDon | Aug 18, 2004 05:14pm | #4

   I can't comment on LN blades as the only ones I have are in LN planes. I don't generally use them for replacement blades since the other alternatives are less expensive. I see no performance difference between my STW, Hock, and Samurai blades loaded in my older Stanleys. They are all head and shoulders above the factory blades. To tell you the truth, I usually buy on price which means unless I run into a sale STW is my first choice.

2. 
   rod | Aug 19, 2004 02:55am | #5

   I have regular Stanly blades, Hock blades and Samurai.  I am impressed with how long the Samurai seem to stay sharp in comparison to the others.  The Samurai is in a Record No. 7 which I use a lot.  I did  a part of the Charlesworth tuning on it ( I couldn't figure out how to do the frog and plane body seating from his book -- the article and pictures in the current FWW are clearer on this point).  With the addition of the Samurai blade and the tuning, the plane was much easier to use.  If only soneone could figure how to get rid of the backlash.

3. 
   BHerman | Aug 19, 2004 06:25pm | #6

   Jim - I recently upgraded an old Stanley #4 with a LN blade - actually got it at their factory as I was taking a class nearby. I've used Hock before (have one on a #5) and prefer the LN, seems to hold an edge better. Just be aware that they sell their blades in two thicknesses, you want the thinner of the two to fit in standard planes. Would be curious to know how much work it takes to tune up the Anant planes -what has been your experience?

1. 
   twotowers | Aug 24, 2004 12:02am | #7

   Ben, I have been surprised by the out of the box quality. The blades needed sharpening, but aside from that they preform very well with out spending much more time on them.