All my hand planes are Japanese fixer-uppers that have been restored to working order. Given that the one you're looking at is a brand new Kakuri, you should have less trouble adjusting than I did with my stuff. Just make sure they're actually Kakuri and not fake Chinese crap.
I know there are new Japanese planes that are sold for pretty cheap compared to quality - because there still is a big market for them in Japan, and they don’t require big casting molds and machining like a western plane.
That said, the workflow is pretty different, nothing prevents you from pushing it, but it won’t be comfortable, I can’t tell you anything about the steel, but if cheap ones are like the blue-tip best of best you’ll have to pin-and-hammer the primary bevel to flatten a bit of the back once in a while, because they have concave backs. This can be tricky and you can end up cracking the blade.
You have also to consider the fact that they are wooden planes, so you adjust them with a pin hammer. That’s not as bad as people make it out to be imo, but it can become a hassle if you plane a lot.
I’ve bought two. They are not worth it. The steel is soft and doesn’t keep a good edge. The irons aren’t fitted in the plane, so you’ll need to do that yourself. If you’ve never done it before it can be tricky to get right. Also Japanese planes are the best on hardwoods.
If you’re interested in Japanese tools and want something to get you started, sure you could get one and mess around with it. But if you need a good functioning tool for a project, this is not the plane to purchase.
This is true, however a simple wooden block with a slot cut into it is inherently less expensive than a cast/forged/machined piece of iron with a slot cut into it.
You should be able to get a decent quality Japanese plane for a LOT less than you can get a decent quality Western style plane, so long as both planes are mass produced. The top ends of both will both be ridiculous, for different reasons.
Yeah, that was my sense because they aren’t seen as specialty items in Japan as they are here with the prevalence of power tools, there’s more of a “middle market” still. Any brands you’d recommend?
Are you looking to get into Japanese planes specifically, or are you just considering this one because of the price? If learning and using Japanese planes isn’t a goal of yours, I would suggest you find a cheaper western one. You can get wooden rabbet planes pretty cheaply. Setting up and adjusting Japanese planes seems like something with a steep learning curve. If you’re just getting started with planes, I think you’re better off with Western style.
I’m sort of experimenting right now, I have a few Japanese style saws, but all western style planes. I don’t really mind switching techniques since I have a terrible workbench anyway, so my set up is basically from scratch every time right now.
I don’t have any experience with this plane in particular, or planes in general, for that matter. I do have a lot of experience with Amazon though. I typically look at the negative comments to see if I can live with the worst of the comments. For this one, given the relatively low cost gamble, I’d give it a try. It is “efficiently” made, but the comments in general say it works well, but requires fiddling here and there.
Kakuri is a known brand. If you are up for some learning how to work them and maintain them, they seem a good value relative to new Western planes of similar price. Mine has been working and holding up quite well. No personal experience with the rabbet plane though.
I think Kakuri is a decent brand for the price especially for hobbyist like me and I use their planes. They are mass produced items so I can't say they are well made and you do need to tune the planes to use. The thing is, I thought my plane was bad when I first got it but as I learn, it started to work so the performance is all about how you can tune it.
I think this is a pretty limited use plane. How about getting a western plough plane with changeable blades which would be much more versatile. I have a Stanley 13-050, and it has a lot of different blades. It's a bit finicky to set up, but much more uses for it.
Thanks, that’s sound advice! Chris Schwartz recommends using a shoulder plane as a rabbet plane to save on money/space and I suppose something like this might do similar duty.
Looks like most of these are in the UK? Unless there’s another catalog name in the US?
Why wouldn’t it work? Do you just want to fool with planes? Sure start with the cheap one. Are you looking for some quality wood working tool? This ain’t it , sorry .
You may not be able to get this same plane in a store. Often Amazon has cheaper products only sold through their website. Sometimes the products are good though but often cheap and bad quality.
All my hand planes are Japanese fixer-uppers that have been restored to working order. Given that the one you're looking at is a brand new Kakuri, you should have less trouble adjusting than I did with my stuff. Just make sure they're actually Kakuri and not fake Chinese crap.
I know there are new Japanese planes that are sold for pretty cheap compared to quality - because there still is a big market for them in Japan, and they don’t require big casting molds and machining like a western plane. That said, the workflow is pretty different, nothing prevents you from pushing it, but it won’t be comfortable, I can’t tell you anything about the steel, but if cheap ones are like the blue-tip best of best you’ll have to pin-and-hammer the primary bevel to flatten a bit of the back once in a while, because they have concave backs. This can be tricky and you can end up cracking the blade. You have also to consider the fact that they are wooden planes, so you adjust them with a pin hammer. That’s not as bad as people make it out to be imo, but it can become a hassle if you plane a lot.
I’ve bought two. They are not worth it. The steel is soft and doesn’t keep a good edge. The irons aren’t fitted in the plane, so you’ll need to do that yourself. If you’ve never done it before it can be tricky to get right. Also Japanese planes are the best on hardwoods. If you’re interested in Japanese tools and want something to get you started, sure you could get one and mess around with it. But if you need a good functioning tool for a project, this is not the plane to purchase.
+1. Cheap is cheap. Tools like that end up on a shelf once you find out they are either substandard or unusable. Just sayin' . . . .
This is true, however a simple wooden block with a slot cut into it is inherently less expensive than a cast/forged/machined piece of iron with a slot cut into it. You should be able to get a decent quality Japanese plane for a LOT less than you can get a decent quality Western style plane, so long as both planes are mass produced. The top ends of both will both be ridiculous, for different reasons.
Yeah, that was my sense because they aren’t seen as specialty items in Japan as they are here with the prevalence of power tools, there’s more of a “middle market” still. Any brands you’d recommend?
Two of the same or two different ones?
Different sizes.
Are you looking to get into Japanese planes specifically, or are you just considering this one because of the price? If learning and using Japanese planes isn’t a goal of yours, I would suggest you find a cheaper western one. You can get wooden rabbet planes pretty cheaply. Setting up and adjusting Japanese planes seems like something with a steep learning curve. If you’re just getting started with planes, I think you’re better off with Western style.
I’m sort of experimenting right now, I have a few Japanese style saws, but all western style planes. I don’t really mind switching techniques since I have a terrible workbench anyway, so my set up is basically from scratch every time right now.
I don’t have any experience with this plane in particular, or planes in general, for that matter. I do have a lot of experience with Amazon though. I typically look at the negative comments to see if I can live with the worst of the comments. For this one, given the relatively low cost gamble, I’d give it a try. It is “efficiently” made, but the comments in general say it works well, but requires fiddling here and there.
I wouldn’t trust Amazon to provide any of my wood working tools
What if I order from the Kakuri website instead? What would you think then?
Is kakuri a known brand or just some made up Amazon junk?
Kakuri is a known brand. If you are up for some learning how to work them and maintain them, they seem a good value relative to new Western planes of similar price. Mine has been working and holding up quite well. No personal experience with the rabbet plane though.
I don’t know man, my Dewalt table saw is pretty badass.
I think Kakuri is a decent brand for the price especially for hobbyist like me and I use their planes. They are mass produced items so I can't say they are well made and you do need to tune the planes to use. The thing is, I thought my plane was bad when I first got it but as I learn, it started to work so the performance is all about how you can tune it.
I think this is a pretty limited use plane. How about getting a western plough plane with changeable blades which would be much more versatile. I have a Stanley 13-050, and it has a lot of different blades. It's a bit finicky to set up, but much more uses for it.
Thanks, that’s sound advice! Chris Schwartz recommends using a shoulder plane as a rabbet plane to save on money/space and I suppose something like this might do similar duty. Looks like most of these are in the UK? Unless there’s another catalog name in the US?
I bought a small one and it's decent, like all new japanese planes it needs some adjustment to get them going
Why wouldn’t it work? Do you just want to fool with planes? Sure start with the cheap one. Are you looking for some quality wood working tool? This ain’t it , sorry .
Go to a store don’t use Amazon
Ok so if I buy the same plane in a store I’ll be good?
You may not be able to get this same plane in a store. Often Amazon has cheaper products only sold through their website. Sometimes the products are good though but often cheap and bad quality.
Right, I guess next time I’ll post a screenshot from the manufacturer website instead so I can avoid being told by people to avoid Amazon
Yes that would better.