I've been a hobbyist woodworker for about seven years, and I've really developed a passion for hand tools. I've learned how to restore and sharpen a variety of older tools, and while I've had no complaints with them, I've always dreamed of owning a Lie Nielsen or Veritas plane. The only thing stopping me has been the high cost. I'm curious about your experiences: at what point did you upgrade to new planes? Did you hit a certain skill milestone, or was there a specific moment when you decided to treat yourself to a high-end plane? Also, I've noticed that many American woodworkers, regardless of their skill level, tend to have Veritas or Lie Nielsen planes, while here in the UK, vintage Stanleys seem to be more common. Is that just due to affordability?
3 Answers
I think the idea that you need to reach some skill level before you can get a Lie Nielsen plane is just gatekeeping nonsense. If you can afford it and you want it, just go for it! I mean, I have a bunch of old planes that perform just as well as my premium ones; they just don’t look as fancy.
I got a Lie Nielsen #4 a while ago, and while it's a great purchase, I've also had solid results with used planes after swapping out their blades. The biggest difference I noticed was in how smoothly the adjusters worked.
But honestly, would you shell out hundreds for a sander? It felt a bit excessive at first.
I've got a bunch of premium planes, but honestly, they don't magically unlock new skills. They just help you avoid setup headaches. If the tools fit well and their blades are sharpened properly, you're ready to roll. I find them easier to use right out of the box, but they won't make you a better woodworker.
Exactly! I thought a better saw would fix my rough dovetails, but sometimes it's just user error. Though these new chisels from Lowe's? They’re a pain. Maybe I should get those Narex Richters instead!
Totally agree! My old planes work just fine too. They may not have the brand prestige, but they’ve got character and history.