Thread: Now this is a block plane

Well, if you're the sort who would find using an echidna as a dishcloth comfortable, you might find this thing good to use as a plane, but I reckon squeezing the echidna would be easier on the hands. An absurdly over-engineered thing, & impractical to boot (like a Veryon!).

I agree with Derek that it has to be a marketing aid, but I doubt his assertion that it would work all that well - my hands cringe just looking at all those sharp edges.

But you'll be sure to tell us all about it when you get your review sample, won't you, D.?

Cheers

I don't think it's a publicity stunt, I think that they make this kind of tool because they can sell alot of them at a ridiculous price to people who'll fondle it, brag about it but never use it.
It's easier than making cheaper functional tools

At that price you'd have to go the special walnut box as well only 999 USD

While I appreciate the design, I too am anxious about the ergonomics.

is there any chatter else where on this aspect.

BTW, given it;s from BCTW, the price to my mind is not outreagous

Originally Posted by FRB Design

Well said two fingers.

So Frank why didn't you get 2 of them for us instead of the NX 60's

Your know my wife is after your blood now!!!! She's got mine already.


Cheers


Steve

Originally Posted by two fingers

Such a short sighted naive view. I guess you wouldn't understand the point of a zonda or a veyron either. But then again that's probably a good thing cause the BC plane will be worth a lot more than it costs today in about 15 years because so few will see it for what it is. It's a very nice piece no question.

If I had the extra cash I'd buy one for sure.

I have the money, but I won't be buying one.
Looks to me like they think designing a plane equals loading it up with circles, lines and angles..that's not designing, that's just loading it up with circles, lines and angles...I can't see how those elements have any relationship to, or sympathy for each other. It looks just thrown at the thing in a attempt to fill a blank page with design elements. I believe it is screaming out for a good industrial design consultant to do a job on it.

I just laugh when hand planes that cost a few hundred or even a good few thousand dollars get compared to things like cars, or shot guns that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Planes are a block of something that holds a blade, nice and still hopefully, whilst it cuts wood. It ain't rocket surgery. Think about it, a roller or a ball bearing is a more complicated and accurately made piece of equipment. The handle and lock mechanism on my car door is much more difficult to design and to execute than any plane.
That plane, and every plane ever made has nothing to compare with the brilliance of engineering that goes into designing a WHOLE car...ANY car. There is more design brilliance and engineering excellence in an Audi or Subaru differential than that plane.
That plane is just levers, pivots...a four bar linkage and a blade sharp at both ends for heaven's sake.
Comparing what is seen on the outside, or just the concept of an expensive high performance car with that plane is breathtakingly naive, when you understand what it is on the inside that make it cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. A better comparison would be the horrendously expensive branded watch with a $10.50 movement inside, and an expensive label on the outside of a well made case and band.

I spoke to a kid a while ago who told me he had just bought a beautiful and expensive collectible football shirt from the UK...I asked if anyone can buy one tomorrow... yep ....then it isn't rare or collectible, it's just expensive hype to trick little boys into spending their money.

Have a look at a hundred year old Watt's linkage on an early beam steam engine...now that is a thing of beauty.

Don't get me wrong here, I just love expensive things, but I have enough nous to know when something is value for my hard earned cash, and that plane just isn't.

Regards,
Peter

Originally Posted by lightwood

........ but I have enough nous to know when something is value for my hard earned cash, and that plane just isn't.

That's quite a spray for your normally mild-mannered self, Peter...

I agree wholeheartedly with most sentiments expressed - in fact I have always thought BCTW stuff showed a distinct lack of finesse in the design dept - our two local boys' (Clenton & Vesper) stuff is, in general, far nicer, IMO.

Humans will always be collectors, and showing that we have so much cash that we can squander it on unnecessarily ornate or complex goods is just our version of Stags' antlers & Peacocks' tails, but as Peter says, if you want an investment, go for rarity. Holtey makes nice objects, & far fewer of them....

Cheers,

I agree that it is a thing of beauty, but I also wouldn't pay that much for it. I'd prefer to try to make something like that rather than buy it, although I doubt my skills match my ambitions there.

Plane , plane and simple.

Gorgeous to look at engineering masterpiece, probably works well too.

Only as good as the operator though

Originally Posted by lightwood

I have the money, but I won't be buying one.
Looks to me like they think designing a plane equals loading it up with circles, lines and angles..that's not designing, that's just loading it up with circles, lines and angles...I can't see how those elements have any relationship to, or sympathy for each other. It looks just thrown at the thing in a attempt to fill a blank page with design elements. I believe it is screaming out for a good industrial design consultant to do a job on it.

I just laugh when hand planes that cost a few hundred or even a good few thousand dollars get compared to things like cars, or shot guns that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Planes are a block of something that holds a blade, nice and still hopefully, whilst it cuts wood. It ain't rocket surgery. Think about it, a roller or a ball bearing is a more complicated and accurately made piece of equipment. The handle and lock mechanism on my car door is much more difficult to design and to execute than any plane.
That plane, and every plane ever made has nothing to compare with the brilliance of engineering that goes into designing a WHOLE car...ANY car. There is more design brilliance and engineering excellence in an Audi or Subaru differential than that plane.
That plane is just levers, pivots...a four bar linkage and a blade sharp at both ends for heaven's sake.
Comparing what is seen on the outside, or just the concept of an expensive high performance car with that plane is breathtakingly naive, when you understand what it is on the inside that make it cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. A better comparison would be the horrendously expensive branded watch with a $10.50 movement inside, and an expensive label on the outside of a well made case and band.

I spoke to a kid a while ago who told me he had just bought a beautiful and expensive collectible football shirt from the UK...I asked if anyone can buy one tomorrow... yep ....then it isn't rare or collectible, it's just expensive hype to trick little boys into spending their money.

Have a look at a hundred year old Watt's linkage on an early beam steam engine...now that is a thing of beauty.

Don't get me wrong here, I just love expensive things, but I have enough nous to know when something is value for my hard earned cash, and that plane just isn't.

Regards,
Peter

You missed the point on why i compared it to the cars, it was an analogy nothing more... It's more about the art than the functionality and the rarity of it... Most who would buy the cars would have little idea what went into them or even care - same with the plane most likely. It's more a concept plane that will rarely cut wood. Just like the exotic cars will rarely touch the road.

That's your opinion as to whether it "looks good" or not but since BC's been around for a while it's most likely that there are enough that do like what they make and put the cash down for them.

To be honest with all the negative opinions towards BC on this and many of their other tools I'd say that puts them on the cutting edge - so to speak.

extremely well made and built....it doesn't matter about all the perceived poor design issues with the plane. stop whinging and criticizing, as how many of the knockers could actually make this. good old australians, always quick to knock, with little to back it up with.

Originally Posted by aaron.aafjes

extremely well made and built....it doesn't matter about all the perceived poor design issues with the plane. stop whinging and criticizing, as how many of the knockers could actually make this. good old australians, always quick to knock, with little to back it up with.

You know what the biggest problem with these forums is...people who just don't know what they are talking about....
Read back your comments to yourself and ask yourself who is the knocker here.

Regards,
Peter....making things all the time...
Plane making and restoring
Peter McBride Goldsmith Jeweller

don't have a problem with the object (plane), myself, it sounds like more of a case of people not wanting to cough up money for a quality product with many man hours involved in it's making.... ah.... a case of people to used to paying for chinese made products with chinese made price tags, and with my figuring, with an average hourly rate of a tradesman, say at $40 p/h, that would mean that the plane would have to be made in less than 2 days minus materials.
damned if i know anyone who could do that! do you?

i like the look of this plane.
i think the price is about right for the quality of tool you are getting.
i would buy one tomorrow.

regards, justin.