Which Lie Nielsen block plane?

[rwdawson]

Mac,

In addition to my previous comments, I'd like to add two thoughts:

1)  The blade doesn't care what you use to sharpen, that becomes an individual choice.  The best method is what works best for you.  Pick one approach and stick with it for a while (quite a while, actually) before you try something else,

2) Wait until you get your hands on a L-N 5 1/2 bench plane.

Richard

 

[Jesse Cloud]

Ah, once more into the fray...

1) Mac, don't be afraid of sharpening.  That 60 1/2 comes with a blade that will take many, many sharpenings, so if you make a mistake - just try again.  Not brain surgery.  You will get better with practice.  If there is someplace you can take a class or if you can find a mentor, do so.  If nothing else, it helps to learn just how sharp a blade should be.  Waterstones and sandpaper both work.  Don't overthink this, pick one and practice, practice, practice.  Even with less than expert sharpening, that 60 1/2 will continue to please - its a workhorse.  One bit of advice, don't wait too long to sharpen.  An almost sharp blade snaps back into form in no time, while a seriously degraded blade takes some genuine work to bring back.  Personally, I sharpen (hone actually, you will soon understand the difference) after about an hour of use, more often for heavy demanding use, less often for gentle use.

2)Richard.  Point well taken on pricing.  I haven't bought a plane in some years, amazed to see how the gap between LV and LN has narrowed.  I still think they are both excellent choices, though.

 

[mouppe]

Pricing on Lee Valley and Lee Nielsen tools can be even crazier than Festool. The other day, a guy was selling a bunch of unused Lee Valley items on Ebay, one of which I was interested in. Most of the items went for the same price as the original item would have been direct from Lee Valley! That's before taking his shipping charges into account.

Made no sense to me but I bet the seller was happy!

Richard.

 

[rwdawson]

Jesse makes an excellent point.  Stated another way, the best time to sharpen (hone) a blade is just before it needs to be sharpened (honed).  Somewhat like the best time to take on fuel is before you run out.  The only thing with a chisel or plane is you don't have gauge to read, you just have to know.  And you will get to know.