Clifton vs LN vs LV bench planes

[tobytools]

When premium planes come to mind I always think of LN as the better, having never used a clifton or veritas I would like to know from people who have used these what is there preference?
As that's what it is I think.

When considering paying out for such a plane,

I've haven't heard any bad reviews about LN
Veritas is another I haven't heard many bad things from but with clifton some say their consistency is that to the level of the other two?

With all designs being different and same with materials ect how do you compare what's the most effective brand?
In regards to design I favour clifton there non flashy approach appeals to me and the ss is also my preferred setup.

Opinions wanted
Thanks
TT

 

[Jason]

Clifton are fine. They need a better PR department, but their planes are top notch. As is their customer service. As are your consumer rights should for any reason you think a plane you've bought in the EU isn't what you expected.

 

[AndyT]

Toby

Have a read of this very long thread which among other things will explain how an outdated comment on quality has haunted Clifton. What Google finds is not always the whole story!

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/topic66750.html

 

[Jacob]

The low angle versions are all a bit pointless and don't have easy adjustment.
Clifton is good but the bedrock frog is over rated; adjustable mouth is a much better option, as per the modern Stanley SW which is cheaper and performs just as well as the others, but has a not very good adjuster.
As far as woodwork is concerned it won't make much difference which you get!

 

[Cheshirechappie]

I've had a couple of LN benchplanes and a couple of Clifton shoulder planes for about 15 years. They were all superb straight out of the box, needing only a light honing to get them going, and they're still like that today. I've no doubt that LV would be just as good.

Sadly, in their early days Clifton suffered a bad batch of castings from a foundry that went bust shortly after delivering a batch (so Clifton lost their pattern equipment as well). With orders to fill, Clifton either had to make the best of the castings they had, or take the time and cashflow penalty in remaking patterns and finding another foundry - they chose the first to keep some cash flowing through the business, and some of the substandard castings ended up in the hands of reviewers. The foundry they now use are working to a far better standard, consistently.

Shortly afterwards, the factory was flooded out, destroying the entire stock of finished work, and leaving a lot of cleaning and rebuilding of machinery to be done.

So, all in all, Clifton have done very well to stay in business - they certainly didn't have an easy start.

In any comparative test between Clifton, LN and LV, all would be rated 'excellent'. The differences are down to things like whether you prefer green planes or black ones, fully forged irons or irons from rolled plate, and shape of handles. All minor stuff, really.

 

[tobytools]

Thanks gents,
I read about the floods (twice) that clifton had not good.
I'm thinking Of getting one when I start my furniture course is September. But I have most size planes that work very well so maby an iron upgrade would be a cheaper option, and a bit of a tune up.
That being said I've only brought 1 tool new (QS LA block)
I would like a bench plane that has only had my hands on it.
If I got one id get the no4 as I have an excellent no6.
Then again a no3 as my 6 does what a 4 can do.
Decisions, decisions.

My reasons for choosing clifton is the fact it's british so I'll have to check that thread out and double check that they are still made in Sheffield.
Cheers gents.

TT

 

[paulm]

As has been said, they are generally excellent brands and planes and much of it is down to personal taste/preference.

While admiring some of the technical features and functionality of the veritas range I never came to like the aesthetics at all, not important in terms of doing any woodworking of course, but I just don't like them !

I bought a few LN planes over a period of time, mainly bevel up, and found them excellent to use as you would expect, but after handling and testing a Clifton 51/2 at one of the shows (just for fun, I wasn't after or needing any more planes), I sold most of the LNs and replaced them with Cliftons. I just immediately warmed to the performance and handling and aesthetics in a way that the LNs just didn't (performance aside).



So personal taste really, best if you can get hands on with them all at a show to compare, we're lucky to have such a choice these days

Cheers, Paul

 

[tobytools]

Thanks Paul,
What a selection of planes, I sadly can only get one but I think I'll sell a load of my stuff and get another if I'm happy with the first,

It's a shame that clifton don't do a no8 or a block plane! I saw a pic of a proto type block but can't find it now.

Where's the best place to buy from?
For a no4
Classichandtools £237.95
Workshop heaven £254.40 free postage for 2weeks
Toolnut £239.00

Can any one find it cheaper or know a good place to get it from?

I think I want no3,5,7
Thanks
TT

 

[bugbear]

Thanks Paul,
What a selection of planes, I sadly can only get one but I think I'll sell a load of my stuff and get another if I'm happy with the first,

It's a shame that clifton don't do a no8 or a block plane! I saw a pic of a proto type block but can't find it now.

Where's the best place to buy from?

A shop you can visit in person and try the tool!

BugBear

 

[Paul Chapman]

Clifton, Lie Nielsen and Veritas are all equally good in terms of performance so it really comes down to personal preference. With regard to bench planes and shoulder planes, I would always go for Clifton. I have several of them and even one with my name on it



I've always had very good service and deals from Classic Hand Tools, who stock them.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[paulm]

Thanks Paul,
What a selection of planes, I sadly can only get one but I think I'll sell a load of my stuff and get another if I'm happy with the first,

It's a shame that clifton don't do a no8 or a block plane! I saw a pic of a proto type block but can't find it now.

Where's the best place to buy from?
For a no4
Classichandtools £237.95
Workshop heaven £254.40 free postage for 2weeks
Toolnut £239.00

Can any one find it cheaper or know a good place to get it from?

I think I want no3,5,7
Thanks
TT

The no3 is surprisingly useful, might find you don't miss a block plane after all !

Cheers, Paul

 

[Paul Chapman]

The no3 is surprisingly useful

I would second that. My #3 and #7 are probably my most used Cliftons.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[tobytools]

Clifton, Lie Nielsen and Veritas are all equally good in terms of performance so it really comes down to personal preference. With regard to bench planes and shoulder planes, I would always go for Clifton. I have several of them and even one with my name on it



I've always had very good service and deals from Classic Hand Tools, who stock them.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

Thanks Paul, I'm defiantly going with a clifton no4 for Xmas, I want it now tho lol,
I've seen some plane with their names on but done with metric letter punches, yours looks superbly done, did you get engraved by a specialist?

Thanks
TT

 

[Paul Chapman]

I've seen some plane with their names on but done with metric letter punches, yours looks superbly done, did you get engraved by a specialist?

That's one of the limited edition, anniversary planes that Clifton produced. Mike Hudson of Clifton, who I know well, added my name as a favour.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

 

[tobytools]

The no3 is surprisingly useful

I would second that. My #3 and #7 are probably my most used Cliftons.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

So for a smoother you favor the no3 over the 2,4,4 1/2
Please explain,
Cheers
TT

 

[tobytools]

I've seen some plane with their names on but done with metric letter punches, yours looks superbly done, did you get engraved by a specialist?

That's one of the limited edition, anniversary planes that Clifton produced. Mike Hudson of Clifton, who I know well, added my name as a favour.

Cheers :wink:

Paul

That's what I call a friend,
Excellent,
TT

 

[AndyT]

Thanks Paul,
What a selection of planes, I sadly can only get one but I think I'll sell a load of my stuff and get another if I'm happy with the first,

It's a shame that clifton don't do a no8 or a block plane! I saw a pic of a proto type block but can't find it now.

Where's the best place to buy from?

A shop you can visit in person and try the tool!

BugBear

One springs to mind - Bristol Design. They stock Clifton planes alongside their own line of new infill planes (modelled on Norris designs). Worth a phone call to check they have the one you want before travelling. I've no idea what their Clifton prices are, and sadly their shop isn't quite in the Clifton area of Bristol, but it's close!

I have no connection with the shop except wanting such an unusual outlet to continue to flourish,

PS they have their own line of carving tools and chisels too, alongside the vintage tools.

 

[tobytools]

I'll have a look on there website and give them a call,
My uncle lives in Bristol so I can co visit him not the tools shop
TT
Thanks Andy

 

[tobytools]

Thanks Paul,
What a selection of planes, I sadly can only get one but I think I'll sell a load of my stuff and get another if I'm happy with the first,

It's a shame that clifton don't do a no8 or a block plane! I saw a pic of a proto type block but can't find it now.

Where's the best place to buy from?

A shop you can visit in person and try the tool!

BugBear

One springs to mind - Bristol Design. They stock Clifton planes alongside their own line of new infill planes (modelled on Norris designs). Worth a phone call to check they have the one you want before travelling. I've no idea what their Clifton prices are, and sadly their shop isn't quite in the Clifton area of Bristol, but it's close!

I have no connection with the shop except wanting such an unusual outlet to continue to flourish,

PS they have their own line of carving tools and chisels too, alongside the vintage tools.

I've had a work with the guy and he's only got a 6 and 7,
I've asked if he will find out the price of a no3 n 4 to price compare, I'll call him Monday and if it's kwl m ask him to order and go have a look in his shop. I'll leave the band card at home
TT

 

[Phil Pascoe]

:lol: The "band" card? The "banned" card? or the "bank"... or the banned bank card?