Question about Hock Blades in Stanley Planes

[Sierramtns]

i probably should have added at the beginning of the post I have experience with hand planes and have used them for several years, I know how to tune them as well I was just curious apples to apples (Both tuned and adjust properly) is the Hock blade any better?

I get great thin shavings from the planes that I have, just wondering if I could improve upon that at all


Thanks again for all the input!

John

I have both Hock and original Stanley blades in #s 4,5 and 7 planes, plus several block planes. When properly fettled, blade to breaker mated, and well sharpened I can detect no difference in quality of shavings with either of the two brands of blades. The Hock blades to tend to last longer between sharpenings.

[Strokes77]

I have both Hock and original Stanley blades in #s 4,5 and 7 planes, plus several block planes. When properly fettled, blade to breaker mated, and well sharpened I can detect no difference in quality of shavings with either of the two brands of blades. The Hock blades to tend to last longer between sharpenings.

Pretty much this.

[rwe2156]

You will notice a difference.  Upgrade the cap iron, too.

Be aware you may have an issue with the mouth needing to be filed back a bit.

[Scoony]

Guess we all have different experiences. I can get the original plane blades and chip breakers to work just fine, however I do see an improvement with the hock blades and chip breakers.

I notice the biggest improvement with the Hock chipbreaker, So I tend to get them first, then add the blade. All of my Vintage Stanleys that get used regularly have Hock blades and CBs.

I use a collection of Stanley and LN planes. My most used plane is a vintage $20 Stanley #5 complete with white paint splatter. With the Hock blade and CB, it works just as well as my LN #4.

[Belle City Woodworking]

Guess we all have different experiences. I can get the original plane blades and chip breakers to work just fine, however I do see an improvement with the hock blades and chip breakers.

I notice the biggest improvement with the Hock chipbreaker, So I tend to get them first, then add the blade. All of my Vintage Stanleys that get used regularly have Hock blades and CBs.

I use a collection of Stanley and LN planes. My most used plane is a vintage $20 Stanley #5 complete with white paint splatter. With the Hock blade and CB, it works just as well as my LN #4.

I was actually looking at them (Hock Sets) for my Bailey No. 4C, 5C and 7C.  I have a recently added LN 4 1/2 that my dear wife so graciously got me for my Birthday.  I do love the No 5, it takes really nice shavings and I could use that plane all day!  I do like what one poster added, that the Hock holds an edge longer.

Thanks again for all the productive and informative responses.

John

[blackhat]

Lee Valley has some nicely made irons and caps as well. I have one set in a 5 and the iron only in a Union (?) 6. Both are A2. I like them and will likely get a few more.

[Axehandle]

It possible the chip breaker alone would make a pretty decent improvement though I have never tried it.

[Belle City Woodworking]

I tend to view those thicker, "New & Improved" plane irons as nothing more than a crutch.....


The Stanley No. 4, Type 10 I have been using in most of the last projects, still has it's original iron.   As well as all the other planes in my shop.....see no reason to spend more on a cutter, than I did on the plane, simply to say  "I added brand X part and LOVE IT".  

Just bought a Millers Falls No. 900 ($4) yesterday........

Might take an hour or so to clean up.   And have it cutting see through shavings with it's "Solid Tool Steel" iron. 

YMMV....


Maybe some day,  I MIGHT buy a new iron for this one....
 

Stanley No. 7c, Type 9  with the original iron...and..

The No. 4.....

Bandit,

I do know how to tune a hand plane to work.  This is a $2.00 Craftsman Plane taking shavings out of maple.....





With the stock Craftsman Blade and Chipbreaker



John

[bandit571]

Yep....I also noticed on the $4 plane I just rehabbed,,,,how much thicker the "Solid Tool Steel" iron Millers Falls was using in the 1950s,  was compared to a Sargent iron from 1901...yet both can be sharpened up and work quite well...

   
Whether on pine cathedral grain, or  

   
or getting a glass smooth surface on Ash...

The weird part is..I have never had the slightest chatter from a plane made by Millers Falls.....ever.

[Belle City Woodworking]

I would never want to trust a piece of commission work to that craftsman plane as the frog looks like a third grader put it together but it can be made to be serviceable.