Woodworker: Russel Carcia-Lechelt

Inspired by the handmade planes of renowned toolmakers Karl Holtey and Wayne Anderson, Garcia-Lechelt made himself a one-of-a-kind plane to tackle the toughest-to-plane woods. With Macassar ebony infill and mother-of-pearl inlay, this 2-in.-wide by 8-1⁄2-in.-long smoother weighs a hefty 3.7 lb. The sole is 3⁄8 in. thick and made of 360 brass, which is easily machined and takes a high shine. The sides are 1018 steel, chosen for its bending and cold-forming properties. Lechelt even forged and heat-treated the blade-a 5⁄16-in.-thick slab of 01 tool steel-himself. The plane’s mass makes chatter all but impossible, and the steep 50° bed angle, he says, eliminates tearout on tricky woods. The matching blade-adjustment hammer is brass and walnut.