No4

[SteveF]

how many no 4s does one need
how do u decide which ones to keep?

is it the most expensive or the most comfortable?
do i take them apart and keep the best 2 bits

i need to have a clearout

I am considering keeping 2 so I can easily grab another without sharpening

I have about 10 different makes

Steve

 

[Racers]

I would make sure they work and put them on the for sale and wanted, lots of new wood workers need a working plane.

I have sold my excess this way.

Pete

 

[wizard]

Keep the most expensive and the most comfortable simples

 

[Cheshirechappie]

There are those on this forun who would regard owning one smoothing plane as quite enough, and others who would regard owning 10 smoothing planes as merely a good start! :lol:

More seriously, it's probably worth having more than one in a 'working' toolkit, perhaps set up slightly differently. One for general smoothing of reasonably mild timbers, one set up with a back-bevelled iron, narrow mouth and close cap-iron for wild-grained workpieces, and maybe a third held in reserve.

However, ultimately, there's only one person who can answer your question - and that's you!

 

[Vann]

More seriously, it's probably worth having more than one in a 'working' toolkit, perhaps set up slightly differently. One for general smoothing of reasonably mild timbers, one set up with a back-bevelled iron, narrow mouth and close cap-iron for wild-grained workpieces, and maybe a third held in reserve.

However, ultimately, there's only one person who can answer your question - and that's you!

What he said !

If I was ever forced to reduce my "accumulation" I would keep the best performing No.4 for fine smoothing, and the one I feel most comfortable with for general work such as planing doors or work where you might encounter nails, grit, etc..
And then another for....

Cheers, Vann.