Holzhacker
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2009
- Messages
- 1,192
So I went to the post office on Monday and guess what was waiting for me. A very nice new custom plane. See pics please.
It's been a very busy week so I haven't been able to post sooner. I haven't even honed the blade or used the plane yet, just no time. So far I have only had time to handle the plane for overall comfort and feel in the hand.
This is a 6" plane. The plane has very good proportions for my hands. I would say I have medium sized hands. In terms of feel and use, I can say this will probably be a very comfortable one handed plane. Using the left hand up front as needed also feels good.
Quality and finish of the plane is excellent. It seems to me that Eiji used two finish sanding grits on the plane. The top and sides are very smooth and soft. The bottom however is like glass. This plane will likely glide very well.
One of the things I look for in hand work is consistency of edges, corners, lines. Often times if a guy is in a hurry, using power sanders or not very good, there will be inconsistency along the radius of corners from one side to the other. Long swooping edges will 'wave' along their length.
This is not the case with Eiji's work. Corner radius's are the same on both sides; thickness and radius of the long profiles are consistent along the length of the plane.
The wood selection and grain pattern are very nice. Overall the grain pattern is nice, simple and mostly irrelevant. However I find the grain pattern on the back end of the plane very appropriate and inspired. The swooping curvature of the grain resembles the skin lines and curvature of the meaty thumb ball and palm that will rest on this area.
The plane seems to be built solid to last a long time. Hopefully I will get a chance to use it this weekend.
Clearly, Eiji puts a lot of time into these. Having done a lot of wood projects over the years and looking at this plane, I don't see it as a money maker. From a business standpoint I would look at these planes more as an entry point item / loss leader to draw attention and business. At the price point I can see these being potential gifts also. As far as production, I would be looking at doing limited production runs from time to time. Cut a dozen or so blanks one day when I have time; Cut a dozen or so front and rear body blanks; assemble and sand as I have time. Then when I have 5,10,12 done post that a limited production run is available for purchase. Getting a bunch of checks in at one time might also be helpful. This method of getting certain things done tends to work better for me since I usually can't devote an entire day(s) to one project. Usually too many deadlines for other things. We each have our own way of working.
Eiji, I really think you should be signing these. Initials, trademark, logo somewhere on the piece. The work is good enough, you should 'brand' it. Might help establish your long term pedigree.
Thanks, Markus
It's been a very busy week so I haven't been able to post sooner. I haven't even honed the blade or used the plane yet, just no time. So far I have only had time to handle the plane for overall comfort and feel in the hand.
This is a 6" plane. The plane has very good proportions for my hands. I would say I have medium sized hands. In terms of feel and use, I can say this will probably be a very comfortable one handed plane. Using the left hand up front as needed also feels good.
Quality and finish of the plane is excellent. It seems to me that Eiji used two finish sanding grits on the plane. The top and sides are very smooth and soft. The bottom however is like glass. This plane will likely glide very well.
One of the things I look for in hand work is consistency of edges, corners, lines. Often times if a guy is in a hurry, using power sanders or not very good, there will be inconsistency along the radius of corners from one side to the other. Long swooping edges will 'wave' along their length.
This is not the case with Eiji's work. Corner radius's are the same on both sides; thickness and radius of the long profiles are consistent along the length of the plane.
The wood selection and grain pattern are very nice. Overall the grain pattern is nice, simple and mostly irrelevant. However I find the grain pattern on the back end of the plane very appropriate and inspired. The swooping curvature of the grain resembles the skin lines and curvature of the meaty thumb ball and palm that will rest on this area.
The plane seems to be built solid to last a long time. Hopefully I will get a chance to use it this weekend.
Clearly, Eiji puts a lot of time into these. Having done a lot of wood projects over the years and looking at this plane, I don't see it as a money maker. From a business standpoint I would look at these planes more as an entry point item / loss leader to draw attention and business. At the price point I can see these being potential gifts also. As far as production, I would be looking at doing limited production runs from time to time. Cut a dozen or so blanks one day when I have time; Cut a dozen or so front and rear body blanks; assemble and sand as I have time. Then when I have 5,10,12 done post that a limited production run is available for purchase. Getting a bunch of checks in at one time might also be helpful. This method of getting certain things done tends to work better for me since I usually can't devote an entire day(s) to one project. Usually too many deadlines for other things. We each have our own way of working.
Eiji, I really think you should be signing these. Initials, trademark, logo somewhere on the piece. The work is good enough, you should 'brand' it. Might help establish your long term pedigree.
Thanks, Markus
