I built these two planes, inspired by James Krenov’s book “The Cabinetmaker’s Notebook”, while I was a student at The Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding way back in 1996. They saw daily use for many years while I worked as a boat builder and later as a woodworking teacher. They suffered through many idignities at the hands of my students.

Though I have since built nicer looking planes and planes which out-perform these two, they are still favorites among the thousands of tools in my shop and truck. The irons were purchased from Garret Wade before I heard of Ron Hock, and will still hone up quickly to produce a beautiful surface. The mouths have widened a bit over the years from jobsite trauma and many flattenings.

The smaller Mahogany smoother also reminds me of my time at the Boat School because of the materials used. The body (Hondo) and sole (Purpleheart) both came from the scrap bin in the school shop, and I made a strike button on the rear of the plane from a scrounged silicone bronze carriage bolt. 

The little Japanese hammer in the picture is from the same era, purchased at Hardwick’s in Seattle, possibly the best hardware store on the planet.

They are a great reminder, as JK taught us, that tools, whether home made or store bought, can be more than just an inanimate  thing. They can become personal, should become personal, and the interactions we have with them can positively affect our work.

– Kit