Why Are Good Planes So Expensive?

On the weekend I got talking with my Son In Law about wood working planes. He wanted to know what my planes were worth.

I have about 6 that actually work, about 6 that are awaiting repair or restoration and a hand full of various specialty or "historic" planes kicking around the shop. The conversation developed on the basis that he knows and understands what the correct tool can do for you and the handicaps the wrong/poor tool can impose. What he doesn't know much about is wood working planes.

Incidentally, that is a great place to start a conversation. Sham came to the discussion without prejudice or preconceived motion.

So... what are my planes worth. All together less than $1,500 CDN. Then we looked on the net at the Lee Valley, Lie Nielson, Clifton sites etc.

Why are those planes so expensive, and are they worth the money??

Many of my planes are Anant planes from India. I was the Canadian importer for a couple of years. They are good planes, not always consistent but very inexpensive.

The plane castings have a very high iron content. They rust easily, very easily. Better quality planes have medal that resist rust better. The Anant castings are brittle so if they are dropped they can crack apart. Better quality planes are made from castings that are not as brittle.

Both of those issues can be dealt with fairly easily. If you know they are there. I found out about the rust issue the hard way. The dropping part is covered by soft floor mats by my bench.

What else do you get with a Lee Valley plane that you don't get with an Anant. Thicker plane blade, less chatter, definitely something that is noticeable.

Is the Lee Valley plane 5 times better than the Anant? A good Lee Valley, Lie Nielson etc will last your entire life with proper care. The Anant probably will not last a life time. At some point it will get put away damp, or get dropped some place away from the protective flooring so now you are looking at having to buy two instead of one over the course of your working career.

Recently I bought Rob Cosman's new DVD "The Great Hand Plane Revival" He addresses the question of what a plane needs to do and tries to deal with the question of value.

Stay posted and I will let you know what Rob thinks.

cheers