Thread: Lie Lucky

Good score !! I also have a 102 and 103, these are my go-to block planes, and I've had them for about 10 years now. Which reminds me, I should fish out some other block planes that I don't use and advertise them for sale.....

The 102 and 103 are the only size of plane for which I prefer LN over Veritas.....

Awesome! I love the 102 but haven’t had a chance to use this one yet. I think it may be reasonably early as there is no laser engraving of a logo on the iron. I also have a mix of block planes, with a LN block rabbet which I love and a veritas block plane which hasn’t seen much use yet.

What at do you use your 103 primarily for? I thought the low angle was particulrly useful for a block plane so not quite sure why the standard angle on the 103?

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

...The 102 and 103 are the only size of plane for which I prefer LN over Veritas.....

It seems to me, any Veritas block plane with an adjuster, is just too damn heavy. Shame, 'cause I like Veritas as a company and would prefer to support them with my (insignificant) business.

Cheers, Vann.

Not sure how long ago they stopped making the 103 - I bought mine (standard bronze) new about 10 years ago. Use it for all long grain work, chamfering, etc., and it works just fine at standard blade angle. The 102 I have is a special white bronze "limited edition" that I picked up at a WWW show years ago; I justified it to myself as being useful for end grain so I wouldn't have to swap out different angle blades on the 103. Suffice to say the 102 has seen a lot less use than the 103....for no particular reason !!

These LN planes are just better in the hand (for block plane work) than the Veritas I find. I also have once of these: -

https://www.carbatec.com.au/handtool...-blade-veritas

which may be technically superior in every way (especially blade adjustment), and was clearly developed using a wind tunnel to ensure the lowest drag coefficient , but is just too big and clunky to use for much. Still in the box, hardly been used, so it can go I think.

Hahaha.....Vann....great minds and all that. I must have been typing as you posted. Something the size/weight of that Veritas DX60 should have a handle, i.e. a #1 conventional plane. I find it awkward to hold...so go for my LN block planes every time.

IMO, the difference between a 103 & a 102 would be pretty minor, you'd be flat out picking any useful difference in performance in most situations. I've got a Veritas 'apron plane' (which I think would be more equivalent to the LN 102 than their 'Buck Rogers' types). Before the Veritas came into my life I used an English Stanley 110 which I bought brand shiny new back in the 1950s. The Veritas is such a nice little thing that sits very comfortably in my hand, and it's my go-to for all one-handed planing jobs. The old 110 now sits forlornly in the cupboard and rarely comes out, unless the Veritas is a bit dull & I'm in too much of a hurry to stop & sharpen it. Can't say I notice much difference in the job each does, despite the difference in blade-angle. I should find a new home for the 110 where it will see more action, but after 60 years it would be like parting with an old friend, it's the only woodworking tool I still have from my teens!

That's a long way of saying most of us don't really need more than one block plane (unless you want to become a 'collector' ). I suspect you will end up parting with one or the other, jw. Which one probably doesn't matter from a functional viewpoint, I'd just use both for a while & see if one suited you more than the other......

Cheers,

Hi Ian, insightful as always. I agree and see little value in having both. It was more of a 'too good to pass up' opportunity, but I think the low angle will do more than I ask of it. As a user I'm not really into excess, but do value buying the best you can afford - the whole 'buy once' mantra. I suspect that I'll part with the 103 and put the money towards something I need - like a shoulder plane or something (I don't suppose you know anyone with a brass infill one laying around ). To me it's an expensive fools game trying to collect 1 of each of the latest and greatest thing, though I have a long way to go to get the basics too.

Ironically, I suspect that block planes are used more frequently on edges than on ends. That is, they are campher edges rather than block ends. The #103, with its higher cutting angle, is actually the preferred plane in this situation. I would not sell the #103 - it is small enough not to take up space and worth dedicating to chamfering. This is what I have done.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks Derek, good insight. Reckon ill try both for a while and work out what to keep.