I'm still getting the hang of using hand tools in woodworking and have been picking up a mix of secondhand ones. I'm really not sure if what I've got are authentic tools or just a bunch of frankenplanes. Can anyone tell me which part of the handplane is the most critical to ensure it's functional? For example, if I find one with a Bailey body but the other parts are mismatched, would that still be better than a handplane with an original frog?
1 Answer
The most important parts are definitely the body and the frog. If the body has any serious cracks or warpage, it's pretty much game over. You want to make sure the frog fits snugly into the body without issues too. The iron and tote are easy to replace if needed, while the lever cap might depend on the specific plane. Just keep in mind that once something's labeled a frankenplane, its value drops, so focusing on functionality is key—unless you've got a unique piece like a bedrock body or something.
I’m all about function over value, just want to get a solid investment in my tools!