HNT Gordon Block Plane

[Philly]

Hi All,
Posty fetched a little box for me yesterday.

As you may know, I have a soft spot for Terry Gordons Australian handmade wooden planes. This one is a block plane in Macassar Ebony.

The blade is bedded at 55 degrees (so its not a low angle one! :lol: ) Gordon planes are built to handle tough exotic timbers-the smoothing plane is a personal favorite of mine, so I was looking forward to using the block plane.

I had a piece of ash handy-the Gordon loved it, taking lovely long end grain shavings out of the box.

The mouth wasn't as tight as I was expecting (about 2/3 of a mil) but it performs just fine.
So, another thumbs up from Gordon planes. I do like the simple classy lines of these planes and their performance is outstanding.
cheers,
Philly

 

[Chris Knight]

Darn it Philly, you're making me look bad.

 

[Alf]

Oh look, mother. A collector... :wink: Nice looking little plane, Philly. Hmm, you seeming to be missing something a little longer from Mr Gordon. Better sort that out PDQ eh? Wish you hadn't posed it with a square though; I broke out in a cold sweat. :shock:

Cheers, Alf

 

[Chris Knight]

Just in case anyone wants to try these planes but can't face the cost, you may like to try a Mujingfang - the Chinese version (that HNT Gordon copied). Lyn Magniamelli talks quite highly of the Mujingfangs.

They are available here http://www.george-higgins.co.uk/ which is a store I have spent a lot of money in over thle years. The planes were all around the £20 mark and there was a large selection a few weeks ago when I was last in the shop.

The website only talks about power tools but Higgins have an extensive handtool section and an ironmongery section as well.

 

[Philly]

Alf,
How dare you care me a collector............ :wink: (Does three count as a "collection"? )
Been looking at the try plane, maybe one day..........

Chris,
According to Terry Gordon he got the design after a holiday in Malaysia-they are the local style.
Had a look on the web-site but they only showed tailed beasties.


I love the Gordon planes-they work inpecabbly, feel great in the hand and look superb. And they work on even the toughest timbers!
cheers
Philly

 

[Alf]

Alf,
How dare you care me a collector............ :wink:

Complete the phrase "it takes one to-" Maybe not yet, but I see all the signs. :shock:

 

[Philly]

Fair point, M'Lady........
regards
Philly

 

[Alf]

Fair point, M'Lady........
regards
Philly

Thank you, Parker...

 

[Philly]

Sorry, forgot to mention the price in my "mini-review". Retail, in Ebony it's about £90 ish. Got mine on Ebay-£52, an ex demo one. :shock:
Good old Ebay, huh?
(Not that I recommend it, of course-leave ther "Bay" to me! :lol: )
arf!
Philly