I see all kinds of posts about planes, Lee Valley and Lie-Nielsen.
Has anyone other than me used Steve Knights Planes. They are wooden planes or infill planes, but he hand makes each one and tests, sharpens and tunes them before selling them. He also offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee
I took wispy thin translucent shaving off of some Paduc that I was working with, right out the box.
He has just now started offering his planes with an adjustable mouth as well. I think they are some of the best planes made – he even offers them with Japanese blades for those who want them,
1 – measure the board twice, 2 – cut it once, 3 – measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 – get a new board and go back to step 1
Replies
A couple of years ago when I was first getting back into woodworking I bought a couple of LV planes (Regular and Shoulder). I really didn't know much about tuning up planes at the time but they certainly seemed better then anything I used before. While taking a class I had an opportunity to try a LN plane and it was an eye opening experience. It was definitely a better working plane then the LV I was using at the time. Sometime after that I sold one of the LV and replaced it with a LN.
I began taking some basic woodworking course and we spent a couple of days learning how to tune up and sharpen planes and chisels. I found out the remaining LV needed a lot of tuning up after which it worked much better but it did get me to thinking that if I spent that much for a plane that still needed a fair amount of work why not spend a little more and eliminate most of the problem. I replaced the remaining LV with a LN and have since purchased several more LN planes. I think the LV is a good plane after you tune it up but if you really don't know how to do this you are not getting the best performance from the product. LV has great service and good prices and I still purchase many item from them.
I don't think LN has all the market on high end planes but it has been a great advantage to go to a WW show any have the chance to try the plane at the LN display and deciding for myself if it meets my needs.
I have been looking for a jointer and reading about the Steve Knight planes and from what I have been able to find out the seem like good products but unless I can actually see and try one I am reluctant to spend the money and then having to replace the plane sometime in the future. I'm sure I not the only one who hesitates buying a product like this sight unseen and I have been thinking about calling Steve Knight and suggesting he make available a couple of demo planes. I wouldn't mind putting the charge on my credit card until I return the product but I would like to try it first.
I'm glad you posted the message because you are the first person I'v meet who actually has one and I'm glad you like it so much. Maybe I'll give Steve a call and see what I can find out.
I have an advantage, in that I live in Portland, OR where Steve has his shop.
When I bought mine, I was able to go to his shop and pick it up. I arrived a bit early and he was running a bit behind, so I got to watch him put the finishing touches on the plane and tune it up.
Normally, when he finishes a plane, and is satisfied, he take a pass or two over some purpleheart and leaves the shavings in the plane so the customer can see how it will do.
He also sells his planes on eBay - look for Knight Plane. There are occasional times when there are none listed. Interstingly, I have NEVER seen one of his planes being sold by anyone other than him. I see LV & LN, but never a Knight plane being resold.
You can see his items online at http://www.knight-toolworks.com he has some pictures on how his planes are made. On the coffin and smoother planes at least, you can order them with 45, 47, 50, 55 or 60 degree angles - your choice. And he does offer a 100% guarantee.
I bought a 45 degree coffin plane after talking to him, I wanted it to work with some quilted and curly maple. I thought I would need a higher angle 50 - 55 but he showed me some quilted maple he had used for one of his planes and used a 45 and it was beautiful. I was still a bit leery and he said that his 100% guarantee would cover that. If I was not happy with the 45 he would make me another at whatever angle I wanted and exchange it with no problems.
He is a one man shop, his phone number is: (503) 421-6146. Says he like to talk to customers - says the shop gets lonely at times.
His motto, that he has posted on the home page of his site is "I flat out out will not sell a lousy plane". He also states "all of my products are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. I will do whatever it takes to make you happy with your Knight-Toolworks product. It's my personal promise!"
If you go to the ORDER link on his site, he has a section at the bottom for questions, You can fill in the contact info at the top and put a question in there.
I am sold on his products and I had been considering getting a shoulder plane from either LN or LV, but am now looking at one of Steves instead.
The only thing that was a bit strange to start with is that the coffin plane has no handle - you use your hands on the bosy of the plane. It took me a couple of passes on white oak I had about to get the feel for it, I also found I had better control and results using it Japanese style - Pulling the plane instead of pushing it.
I just mahe a little bed for it. I took that test piece of 3/4" oak and ripped it to width of the plane + 1/8". I then cut it length + 1/8". Then I put the plane on the wood and marked where the mouth was. I then routed out a 3/8" dado 1 inch wide - centered on my mark. I then took some 1/4" maple and added it to sides ( leaving a gap where the dado was) withe the height of the maple being 2 1/2". I keep the plane in there whe I am not using it and when using it I have it handy to put the plane in when I need to put it down for a minute or two.
Sorry for the long testimonial, I just really feel that he makes a truely great plane.
One note in closing - his planes may have a small ding or other slight visual imperfection that in no way affects the handling or usage of the plane. He keeps his prices down, by allowing these on the ocassional plane - Part of working with wood.
You can also request the plane be made with a specific wood and he will accomodate the request.
There is also a few comments on his planes at: http://forums.taunton.com/tp-tooltalk/messages/?start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E
1 - measure the board twice, 2 - cut it once, 3 - measure the space where it is supposed to go 4 - get a new board and go back to step 1
Edited 5/30/2005 12:11 pm ET by Rick
Thanks for the information. I guess I'll just have to give him a call and talk to him about what I am looking for.
I will agree that Steve Knight makes nice planes as do LV and LN. There are a lot of nice plane makers about. (I found a list of 20 infill plane makers on the internet one day.) On the other hand I use wood planes that cost $30-40 each new. I think I have 7 planes. They do a fine job on the materials I work with - curly cherry and redwood, misc burl, walnut and cherry crotches, figured H. Mahogany, and figured Bubinga.A lot of hand planing is technique rather than tool.
George,
>>A lot of hand planing is technique rather than tool<<
How right you are!
What the brain and hands (skills) do not provide, money needs to buy. Some folks at least have money to compensate...
Best wishes,
Metod
George- Where are you buying those planes? Thanks- Dave
You asked where are Shepherd Planes available?
I am Doug Evans (one of the two principles at Shepherd). The other principle, Ben Knebel, was at San Diego.
If you go to our website: http://www.shepherdtool.com , you will find tons of information about infill planes and infill plane kits.
In particular, if you go into the Tips and Techniques section, there are instructions sets available, video clips of building, etc. To give you an idea, you can build a dovetailed infill smoother over a weekend.
Right now, the site is changing every two weeks. We have moved into new facilities and have a ton of new equipment, including a CNC Router. We will be prototyping new tools all summer.
Cheers,
Doug
i just use a realy old Stanely # 4 and my Stanley # 90.. Go for it if you can affords..
A good plane is WONDERFUL!
I have used some but I can't affords em~
Rick,
Shepherd Tools did a demo at the San Diego Fine Woodworkers' Association; he sells infill planes as kits and fully assembled. A little pricey, but very nice looking. The steel and brass dovetailed body looks a little daunting, but the owner claims its easy - if time consuming - to build one from a kit.
From what I've seen, heard, and read, an infill plane may be just the ticket for ultra-fine work; now I just have to save up the $ to afford one! Until that happens, I'm taking a class during the autumn semester in which I'll be making my own wood-bodied hand plane and spoke shave - I can hardly wait!
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
Rick,
I am a big fan of Steve's planes. I have several, and I have been known to pimp him here whenever the opportunity presents itself. Great planes and an unbelievable value.
Cheers,
Kyle
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