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Learn How. Discover Why. Build Better. - Christopher Schwarz
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The Curious Scrub Plane
by Christopher
Schwarz
Copyright
2006. This article originally appeared in the
Fine
Tool Journal |
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Much Fancier Cousins
Modern scrub planes are
significantly refined compared to their ancestors. They have
nicer knobs – the Lie-Nielsen uses cherry; the VERITAS uses
rosewood. Both tools have some brass or bronze fittings; and the
level of machining, fit and finish far exceeds the vintage No.
40s I’ve laid my hands on. Of course, one might argue that these
niceties are superfluous on such a coarse tool – like socks on a
squirrel.
And though the two tools are quite
similar, there are important differences that appear as you work
with each. Most significant is the difference in weight of the
tools. It’s not much, the VERITAS is 3 lbs. 1 oz. and the
Lie-Nielsen is 2 lbs. 8 oz, but you can feel the weight
difference in use. The reduced weight of the Lie-Nielsen makes
it less tiring to use during long planing sessions. Little
differences do add up.
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But the extra weight is
sometimes welcome. I found the VERITAS easier to wield
one-handed thanks to the extra mass. I frequently find
myself holding my work against a stop with my left hand
and hogging out a high corner with the scrub plane in
the other.
Also, the extra mass
offered a slight advantage when dealing with knots. The
Lie-Nielsen would occasionally bounce off of nasty knots
that the VERITAS could plow through. Speaking of knots,
the VERITAS has small setscrews on either side of the
iron that help keep the cutter centered in the mouth of
the tool. The company states that this is to keep the
iron in position when the cutter hits a tough knot. In
truth, I’ve never had this iron shift around with my
Lie-Nielsen (which doesn’t have the setscrews). In other
VERITAS planes the setscrews are useful for centering
the iron in the mouth of the tool when setting it up.
But the scrub is so dead-nuts simple that even the rank
amateur can position the iron perfectly without too much
fuss. So don’t get too excited about the setscrews; I
don’t think they offer much advantage. |
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Scrub planes excel at removing stock quickly, but could
they have been designed to work the edges of boards instead of
the faces? Some interesting clues suggest this is so. |
Another significant difference is
in the shape and size of the knob and tote. The Lie-Nielsen tote
is skinny and more curved than the VERITAS version. And though
the Lie-Nielsen feels more comfortable when you first pick it
up, VERITAS officials contend that their handle design is more
ergonomic and will dissuade you from using a death grip on the
tote when working. Ultimately, I found both totes satisfactory
in use, though I give a slight advantage to the Lie-Nielsen – my
hands have always favored their totes. However, I prefer the
VERITAS's larger front knob, which was simply more comfortable
to grasp.
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One of the significant differences between the two
premium scrub planes is in the totes. The VERITAS's
(left) is wider. Also worth noting is that the VERITAS's
tote is secured to the plane’s body with two screws. The
Lie-Nielsen’s is secured with one.
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The VERITAS is a little longer.
It’s a shade more than 11” long; the Lie-Nielsen is 10-1/4”.
Both have the same size cutter – 3/16” thick, 1-1/2” wide and
ground with a 3”-radius curve at the edge. The VERITAS is
available with a high-carbon blade or with an A2 blade for a
slight upcharge. The Lie-Nielsen comes standard with a
cryogenically treated A2 blade.
Both tools were easy to set up
initially and went a long time between sharpening. When you do
have to sharpen the tool, some people are intimidated by the
curved edge, which makes it almost impossible to sharpen with
most standard honing guides. But I’ve found an easier way. |
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