Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm about to purchase my first plane (either a low-angle jack or #5-1/4W bench plane) from Veritas, and noticed that they offer both with either A2 or O1 steel blades. My understanding is that A2 will hold an edge longer, but is more difficult to sharpen, while the O1 steel dulls quicker, but is easier to sharpen.

As a beginner, which one would you recommend? Is one type of steel typically more forgiving than the other? And is the difference in sharpening difficulty between the two really that significant?

Also, for an all-purpose plane (since this will be my only one for quite a while), would you recommend the low-angle jack, or #5-1/4W bench plane?

Thanks!

Hi-

I use the LV low-angle jack with a higher degree bevel (38 degree) M2 HHS blade. The blade isn't in the catalog or shown online - call and ask for it. You either trade it out for the original or order it extra (I got both). I think the extra blade was $25. This jack will do it all for me - joint or smooth. The M2 at that angle will cut through most anything with ease.

Good luck-
John

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

I have both the 5 1/4 and low angle jack Veritas planes. They're both very nice, but the low angle jack is the one to get. Being able to change the cutting angle without having to change the frog is a great advantage of the bevel up planes, and the Veritas jack is just a great tool in general. Their little "apron" plane is another killer tool to have on hand, and isn't very expensive. The Veritas planes are all very well made, but I'm a lot more impressed by their bevel up/low angle planes than I am their more Bailey-esque bevel down/chipbreaker models.

I use A2 on all my planes and don't have any trouble sharpening. The A2 does hold an edge for a long time compared to O1 too.

Dave

The O1 and A2 steels are about the same in hardness depending of drawback of the steel. A2 has a better depth of hardness but that doesn't apply to using an edged blade from one side. What I love is D2 it holds an edge forever. Very tough!

The best is M3 HSS that I've used but I've never seen a plane blade made of it. I'm thinking of making one for myself and see how it holds up. It will be tough to sharpen though.

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)