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From: mangoe@umcp-cs.UUCP (Charley Wingate)
Newsgroups: net.rec.wood
Subject: Re: tool recommendations sought: planes
Message-ID: <196@umcp-cs.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 15-Jun-85 02:08:13 EDT
Article-I.D.: umcp-cs.196
Posted: Sat Jun 15 02:08:13 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 16-Jun-85 05:24:08 EDT
References: <2033@iddic.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: U of Maryland, Computer Science Dept., College Park, MD
Lines: 15

In article <2033@iddic.UUCP> jimd@iddic.UUCP (Jim Delwiche) writes:

>I was pleased to see a reference to Japanese woodworking tools, since I
>am a great admirer of them, particularly the planes.  I have four of
>them.  The toolmakers in Japan who make these laminated blades are
>supposedly descended from Samurai swordmakers, and use the same basic
>blacksmithing techniques.  These planes can be made amazingly sharp. My
>smoothing plane can take off gauze like, almost transparent shavings.

I obtain these kind of results from fairly standard American planes; the
secret is in good sharpening AND very careful adjustment.  Anything that
can't put a glossy surface on any hardwood without I would classify as junk.
I should note that this is possible with ordinary good Stanley tools.

Charley Wingate   umcp-cs!mangoe