Replies

1. 
   Malcolm | Oct 20, 2005 11:15am | #1

   > if I had 100 times the income and 100 times the talent I would buy 1 of each <

   Oh yeah!

   There's a handfull of craft makers at or about that level (look also at Sauer and Steiner) , but to my eye (and I'm fairly new to this) Karl Holtey is the man.

   How much business is there for $2k to $10k individually hand-made planes, by the way? Does antone know?

   Malcolm

   http://www.macpherson.co.nz
2. 
   Metod | Oct 21, 2005 01:25am | #2

   <<Wow if I had ...100 times the talent I would buy 1 of each. >>

   ???

   Metod

3. 
   tarsalas | Oct 21, 2005 02:53am | #3

   You guys are missing the real purpose of Holtey Planes.  Simply show you significant other the Holtey's and their price, and all of a sudden that $300 L-N smoother doesn't look so expensive after all.  It is all a matter of putting things in the proper perspective.

1. 
   Metod | Oct 21, 2005 04:41am | #4

   I believe that a little philosophy on the topic could be of some use to some readers.

   You can look at the Holtey's as an expensive tool or as a 'woodworking jewelry'. The same goes for various pieces of wonderful furniture that many woodworkers produce.

   A Holtey plane (judging from the pictures) is truly a wonderful object. Does it perform better than some of the 'lesser' planes? Probably a resounding 'no'. It just might lose in some of the objective comparison tests. So, to buy one for the reason of performance, is no sign of woodworking smarts. To buy one (it would have to be with 'disposable' income...) because it is a wonderfuly made object is. in my view, a good thing. It supports great crafsmanship - no less than than a purchase of a finely crafted furniture.

   Now, if I could only stop my wife from pestering me to replace my (actually not that great, but usable) old planes with a few of Lie Nielsen's - I wouldn't...did I mention 'disposable' income... wishful thinking is nice too.

   Best wishes,

   Metod

    

1. 
   philip | Oct 21, 2005 11:39am | #7

   Metod, that is uncommonly perspicacious of you, even perspicuous too.
   I have a sneaking suspicion that I read a review in an Australian woodworking magazine which spoke meanly of the English Holtey-mind you there was a glowing report on the Hnt Gordon in the same survey.
   If I had the spare shillings, plus suitable customers, I would nevertheless love to try one out before buying-otherwise there would a danger of another megamatthewshencker post...geezyweezy, 107 and climbing....Philip Marcou

1. 
   Segil | Oct 21, 2005 12:34pm | #8

   If I were to spend ten grand on that big one, the only place it would go is under glass in my showroom.  I would be too afraid to use it for damaging the perfect finish.

   But what a joy it would be to hold it once in a while!  I think these are the Faberge eggs of the woodworking world.

2. 
   Metod | Oct 21, 2005 02:35pm | #9

   Phillip,

   I was <<uncommonly>> lucid for a few fleeting moments. Maybe I ate something...I wonder if it was our cat's pills... I should be fine by mid-morning.

   Best wishes,

   Metod

2. 
   Troy | Oct 22, 2005 01:26am | #11

   Great idea. Fortunately most of the LN stuff I have are gifts from my father. My DW would have kittens if I bought them all myself. Troy

3. 
   CajunDan | Oct 22, 2005 04:35am | #12

   Also in the same ballpark cost as the L/N planes are the infill kits by Shepherd Tool Works. I've built the Spiers Smoother kit in cocobolo, and it is a beautiful plane.

   When finely-tuned, it rivals my L/N #4 1/2 york pitch smoother. This was my first attempt, and it might help avoid the Hotley price.

   Regards,

   Dan

4. 
   corners | Oct 21, 2005 06:10am | #5

   Do any top level woodworkers actually use planes like this or are they just collectables for those with money?

   Wealthy people buy multi million dollar Stradavarius violins and then place them with suitable violinists to play. In these cases the owners must have a little interest in fine music and if so they get a double return for their money: they own a rare item but they also hear fine music which they share with the public.

   I wonder if some wealthy folks might be encouraged to buy Holteys and other fine tools and place them for use by suitable woodworkers so that fine woodworking can be pushed to further heights.

1. 
   Malcolm | Oct 21, 2005 07:01am | #6

   > Do any top level woodworkers actually use planes like this <

   I wonder too! My guess is no - there may be some few studio furniture makers who use planes of this quality/cost for day to day work, but I doubt it (someone contradict me).

   I think they're almost certainly collector items (I notice in one of the decriptions somewhere, not on Karl Holtey's site, there's mention of the 'appraisal' market).

   But why not? Woodworking jewellery is a good description. They set standards, are beautiful and satisfying objects, and elevate 'craft' into a new value field.

   Malcolm http://www.macpherson.co.nz

5. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 21, 2005 09:01pm | #10

   If I got one of those Holtey Planes then I'd have to get expensive wood to use it on but I spent all my money for the plane?