Good Plane for the Money

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/woodriver-4-1-2-smoothing-plane

Wife just asked me what I want for Xmas! I’m starting to appreciate the importance of nice hand tools.

-- Andy - Seattle USA

You could do much worse, Andy. That’s a photo I took of the shavings from a piece of curly maple, and there was zero tear-out. The board was smooth as glass. I spent the time to sharpen the blade and did the Charlesworth ruler treatment on the back and it’s really a joy to use. I even smoothed out some gaboon ebony—really hard stuff—without a hitch.

Like you, I’m moving more into hand tooling and enjoying the experience.

Oh, and thanks for adding the link. I guess I dropped the ball on that part :)

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

I went the Cosman route with the 300/1000/8million grit that also uses the ruler trick. Now I use my planes instead of power tools in more and more situations. Nothing like that smooth as glass feeling. Since I’m a lj /YouTube taught woodworker and don’t really know many other woodworkers it was kind of a “holy s**t” moment when I felt that.

I have some now nicely tuned and refurbished Stanley’s but this would definitely be the nicest hand tool I own.

-- Andy - Seattle USA

I have a Wood River jointer plane and a medium and small shoulder planes. Really like all of them and think they are excellent planes. Flattened the soles and sharpened the blades as soon as I bought them. Set them up according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. No problems and they work great. Would like to ask, what is the Charlesworth ruler treatment on the back? Thanks.

It’s David Charlesworth’s technique for flattening the back side of the plane blade without having to flatten the entire surface, which can be time consuming.

Here’s a link to his Youtube video on the method. He’s a bit dry and tends to put me to sleep, but he’s a master at what he teaches. All of his videos are worth watching.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nykVPKbUGTo

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

I have two Wood River planes, #4 block plane and a #4, very nice, and sharp after some minor tuning. Have been working more with planes this past year after another vet gave me some tips on how to work around my bad wrist.

-- Live to tell the stories, they sound better that way.

It’s a Qiangsheng Luban, isn’t it?

-- https://dutchypatterns.com/

It s a Qiangsheng Luban, isn t it?

- Dutchy

No, the source is Shanghai WoodRiver International Trade Co., Ltd.

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

I have woodriver planes in various sizes and am amazed by the quality. They are an absolute joy to use.

It s a Qiangsheng Luban, isn t it?

- Dutchy

No, the source is Shanghai WoodRiver International Trade Co., Ltd.

- Rich

Shanghai WoodRiver International Trade Co., Ltd is a trading compagny.
Please have a look at:
https://www.rutlands.com/sp+more-planing-hand-planes-qiangsheng-luban-hand-planes-qiangsheng-luban-no-4-smoothing-hand-plane-bedrock-pattern-rutlands+dk1180

-- https://dutchypatterns.com/

Shanghai WoodRiver International Trade Co., Ltd is a trading compagny.

- Dutchy

Whatever. I never really worried about it.

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

It s a Qiangsheng Luban, isn t it?

- Dutchy

No, the source is Shanghai WoodRiver International Trade Co., Ltd.

- Rich

Shanghai WoodRiver International Trade Co., Ltd is a trading compagny.

Shanghai WoodRiver International Trade Co., Ltd is a trading compagny.

- Dutchy

Whatever. I never really worried about it.

- Rich

That is okay! 100% but I was asking if that plane of Woodriver is the same as we can buy here in europe the Luban. And all signals indicate this. I’m not worried but I’m wondering.

-- https://dutchypatterns.com/

That is okay! 100% but I was asking if that plane of Woodriver is the same as we can buy here in europe the Luban. And all signals indicate this. I m not worried but I m wondering.

- Dutchy

I get it now. I guess I can’t answer your question. Sorry.

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner

Dutchy – As far as I’ve ever been able to dig up…Wood River, Luban, Quansheng, and one other German brand are all manufactured by the same company in China. How the quality may differ between the brands I can not say. It’s up to the seller to set the standards of what they will accept quality wise from the manufacturer.

Rich – Thanks for the review. I have a Wood River shoulder plane that I hate how it looks but love how it performs. I think its no secret around here that I’m a HUGE fan of vintage Stanleys but if I can’t find a 4-1/2 locally at a fair price I will pick up the WR 4-1/2. The vintage Stanley’s online are selling for about the same amount as a brand new Wood River and if I go vintage I will still have to spend time tuning and or restoring.

Thanks for filling in on that, sansoo.

And Dutchy, sorry I misunderstood your post. It looks like sansoo gave you a good answer. Best of luck with your search.

-- Half of what we read or hear about finishing is right. We just don’t know which half! — Bob Flexner