So I noticed that Veritas has a bevel up jointer plane, and I'm curious why anyone would choose that over the more common bevel down design we usually see. From what I've gathered, bevel up planes can be great for very low angles on softwoods and end grain, plus you can use higher angles to reduce tearout on tougher woods. I also heard they're easier for beginners since they have fewer moving parts without a frog or chip breaker. But isn't the main purpose of a jointer to make a surface flat rather than ready for finishing?
3 Answers
The blade angle does play a significant role. With bevel up planes, because the blade body is set at a lower angle, it's less prone to chattering. This can be a game-changer for some wood. Just keep in mind that some people find a good old Stanley or Millers Falls to be more effective in different scenarios. Sometimes you might want to rely on a chip breaker for chatter if you stick to standard designs.
Be careful with questions like these, there might be some sort of 'hand-plane mafia' out there! Just kidding. But seriously, a lot of folks like beveled up planes for their ease of sharpening and versatility. You can switch out blades to tackle tearout issues with different angles, and the design makes them easier to use in certain situations. I have the Veritas bevel up jointer, and while it works well, I don’t find it outshines my Stanley No. 7 by much. Unless you're committed to all bevel up tools, it might not be necessary to invest in one. But having a good fence on a jointer is a game changer!
I love the flexibility of swapping blades with different angles! I own several Veritas tools, including their bevel up smoothing and jack planes. They handle reversing grain exceptionally well with high angle blades. Plus, since all their planes take the same blades, it makes crafting projects so much smoother. Honestly, I think it’s worth it just for the ease and variety!
The hand-plane mafia? LOL, that sounds a bit dramatic, but I get it. You're right, having interchangeable blades makes a big difference. Just don't expect it to replace traditional planes unless that’s your specific style.