Kobalt Planes

I went to masters today to check out a few possible Father's Day gifts for the father in law.

He's not into planes, so it was purely out of my own personal curiosity that I looked at their range of hand planes.

Apart from the modern-day versions of Stanley, they stock four hand planes from a company called Kobalt. These are Chinese-made, and dirt cheap. The smallest trimming plane sells for about $4.95, the block plane for $14.95 and the other two planes: a smoothing and a jack plane and (from memory) around the $24-$29 range.

They are interesting-looking planes. Obviously not L-N, WoodRiver or Stanley in quality as you will see from the attached pictures. I was curious about the modern plastic and rubber handle and the custom front knob. Has anyone here taken a look at these out of the box?

Thanks,

Craig

That knob needs a red and white toadstool paint-job and a little gnome sitting underneath it.

Block plane's almost a squirrel-tail arrangement

I got the smallest trimming plane for about $4.95, and went to work on the wet stones, the blade came up ok for a cheap trimmer but the sole was not flat. I used it today for small light work and for the price it may not be nice, but it works. One day I'll get something better but for now it proves I need one.:D:D

SB

As Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear) is so fond of saying, "I mean, how bad can it be?"

Sounds like these planes are no worse then the modern Record/Stanley planes, which also require a great deal of fettling to make them work, for a fraction of the price.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by seanz

That knob needs a red and white toadstool paint-job and a little gnome sitting underneath it.

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Showing my age here but surely they are multi-purpose and can be used when darning holes in socks.:D
Cheers,
Jim