Replies

1. 
   BenM | Dec 20, 2002 08:41pm | #1

   Why stop at a #7?  L-N now makes a #8.  It's only $475 at Garrett Wade.

2. 
   Andrew | Dec 21, 2002 03:22am | #2

   But the Lie-nielsen is cordless, portable, has unlimited width capacity, and it leaves a better surface if you use it properly :)

   And, it's still a bargain compared to a $13,000 Holtey, which could buy a nice general 16" jointer, and leave you with change.

1. 
   user-274461 | Dec 22, 2002 08:37pm | #3

   Where did you hear that the Holtey planes are $13,000?  When Garrett Hack did a hand plane review for FWW a few years ago the Holtey was $3800 for the smoother.  Have they really gone up in price that much? 

1. 
   Andrew | Dec 23, 2002 07:07am | #4

   That's for an A1 jointer, roughly converted into US $'s. On his site he lists an A13 smoother for 3 200 pounds, which is about $6 400 US. It would be even more expensive up in Canada, with our money being worth what it is.

   While he does some beautiful work, IMO they are some of the most overpriced tools you can buy.

1. 
   user-274461 | Dec 23, 2002 11:07am | #5

   I did not know he had a site - just checked it out.  You are right, the prices are astonishing but I don't think you can apply conventional thinking to these tools.  These are not functional, utilitarian items.  IMO they are works of art and therefore, the price is very subjective.  If you could afford it, would you pay $50 million for a painting of some pretty cactus flowers?  Probably not - I sure wouldn't but someone did the last time that Vangough classic was on the block.  And so the Holtey is sort of the same to a lesser degree.  I'd like to have one but it would never touch wood - I would probably hang it on the wall!  Do you agree?