Replies

1. 
   pzgren | Mar 07, 2006 10:45pm | #1

     Both are pretty much the same quality and cost about the same. I've used both, but prefer the LN: the chip breaker on the LN has a small ledge milled into the leading edge that seems to mate with the iron better and tighter. It has also been my experience that the LN iron seems to cut in difficult grain a bit better than the Hock.

   James

2. 
   gdblake | Mar 08, 2006 07:07am | #2

   The A2 irons are close to being  the same.  Hocks is more difficult to get really sharp, but holds the edge longer.  Personally, I prefer the HIGH CARBON irons by HOCK.  Much easier to get extremely sharp. High Carbon hold the edge for almost as long as A2.  Plus way easier to sharpen.  I also like the Hock chipbreaker better. 

   Hard to go wrong with either iron. 

1. 
   QCInspector | Mar 09, 2006 01:02pm | #3

   I'll admit that I haven't tried to put a replacement blade of any kind into one of my planes but I am curious as to how the Veritas blades by Lee Valley compare? They're A2 steel as well.http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=41717&cat=1,41182

1. 
   Buster2000 | Mar 10, 2006 09:02am | #4

   As someone who lives close to a Lee Valley store...

   It seems most of my woodworking pals that restore older planes for use go with the Hock blades over the Veritas blades.  If I remember correctly the blades occasionally require altering the plane to fit see the catalogue, so this may be a restoration issue.

   Regardless... I use the Veritas blades in all my veritas planes, and it has never occurred to me to change them.

1. 
   QCInspector | Mar 10, 2006 01:06pm | #5

   Thanks.As for living close to LV. There are two within an hour of me. Those stores can actually take control of the steering wheel when you drive by.

1. 
   Buster2000 | Mar 10, 2006 06:40pm | #6

   Then they take control of your wallet when you go in!

    

2. 
   highfigh | Mar 10, 2006 06:40pm | #7

   If the irons are wider (or some other reason for not fitting), why not grind it to fit the plane? If it's sold as a replacement for the original, how could it not fit?
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

1. 
   Buster2000 | Mar 10, 2006 10:34pm | #8

   If the irons are wider (or some other reason for not fitting), why not grind it to fit the plane? If it's sold as a replacement for the original, how could it not fit?

   From the Lee Valley Web Site:

   "Due to slight manufacturing variations over the last 100 years, the pawl on the end of the lateral adjust lever on older planes may have to be filed slightly in order to fit into the blade slot."

   That's all I know...  I was just toying with the thought.  I personally don't restore hand planes, unless I have too.  The only one I have done I used a Hock blade, on the recommendation from more experienced restorers...

   About the Hock Blade it came flat, and was very sharp.  There was very little work getting it ready to use.  The blades in my Veritas planes needed a little more work.  I am very happy with both in use.

2. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 11, 2006 03:07am | #9

   Buster

   If your Hock blade came flat, you should consider yourself very lucky.  I did an inventory check 2 days ago and wrote out all my hand tools that I'm keeping, and those that I'm selling, so this is a very accurate number.  I have purchased 7 replacement blades and chipbreakers from Hock.  None of the 7 had flat backs, and all 7 took well over an hour to flatten and hone the back to mirror finish, as well as sharpen the microbevel.  I also remember that 2 (that I remember, possibly more) needed to have the bevel reground, as the original did not come square to the sides.

   That being said, I still like the Hock blades.  They have improved my Bedrocks immensely over the original cheapo blades from Stanley.  They just took ALOT of work to get there.

   Jeff

3. 
   Malcolm | Mar 13, 2006 06:41am | #10

   How are you selling your excess inventory, Jeff?

   Malcolmhttp://www.macpherson.co.nz

4. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 13, 2006 06:58am | #11

   Sold a couple machines on ebay.  Sold chisels to a customer/student.  I'll be listing some hand tools here and at woodcentral next week.  I made a New Years resolution to get rid of the tools that aren't getting used.  I want them in the hands of someone who'll put them to work, instead of collecting dust and space in my shop.

   Jeff

5. 
   philip | Mar 13, 2006 11:56am | #12

   "sold a couple of machines on ebay"- so what are you going to replace all that superfluous machinery and tools with now Jeff?
   (No this is not a sales call from me-I have no stock on hand.... but there is work in progress re same quality, simpler construction, other options planes-for crows, users or both). (;)Philip Marcou

6. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 13, 2006 06:29pm | #13

   Philip

   Over the last 20 years, I've spent alot of money on woodworking tools.  It was never an issue, because it was not my source of income.  I am now getting older (for sure!) and a little wiser, and am just getting rid of tools that I either have 2 or 3 of, or machines that get used once or twice a year, if that.  I've replaced all my hand tools with better ones, mostly from LN, and just don't need 5 spoke shaves, 4 jack planes, 5 jointer planes, etc......  And, I want more room in the shop for furniture, instead of tools.  So, I'm parting with some old friends.......

   Jeff

7. 
   highfigh | Mar 13, 2006 06:43pm | #14

   C'mon! This is America, where you can get what you want, a lot of it, all the time, whenever you want it!Or, like the saying I heard about soldering in the military, "If a little is good, a lot has to be great!".
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."

3. 
   DboyD | Mar 15, 2006 10:59pm | #15

   Try a Samurai brand laminated replacement blades for western planes. Japan Woodworker has them. Nothing gets as sharp. The only downside is that the mild steel that the hardlayer is bonded to is a bit gummy and tends to get hot easily when grinding so go slow.