Knight Toolworks – Good Solid Hand Planes!

Steve Knight of Knight Toolworks has been making, modifying and perfecting his woodworking planes for almost five years. Like many contemporary makers he started out by improving on the planes he was already using before launching into building his own from scratch, This is a tried and true method which has served a lot of people well.

Knight Toolworks uses laminations as their main construction method when making the plane bodies. The laminated way of planemaking allows for quicker construction, a good deal of stability and some very stunning results when several different woods are combined. All of their woods are picked for their working properties, their attractiveness, their weight and balance in the hand and, in the case of the plane’s sole, their hardness and resistance to wearing.

With this in mind it is not unusual to find soles of ebony, cocobolo, rosewood or Ipe being used, along with bodies of white oak, mahogany, purpleheart or cherry. Steve Knight will combine any of these woods, and others, to create a wonderful, silky smooth, well contoured and rounded functional tool which would be a delight in any woodworkers hands.

As far as the design is concerned, Knight Toolworks borrow ideas from different cultures and traditions, combining the best of them into a new and better plane. They use Western, Japanese, and Chinese traditions and combine the best of the features into a single tool that can be used, enjoyed, and cherished for many years to come.

These planes actually feel like they’re easier to move through the wood as you’re working it. They feel better in your hands and are less tiring. Because the planes are made by hand it’s not unusual to find a few file marks, a small dent here or there or a little tear-out on your plane. Steve spends most of my time building the plane and tuning it up because he feels it is important to build a great, hand crafted plane that is used, rather that sat upon a display shelf.

Every element of the plane is made from superior quality materials such as Starrett tool steel, Gorilla Glue and high quality lumber. After you use a plane from Knight Toolworks you won’t really notice the few imperfections in the finish anyway. In fact many of Knight Toolworks’ customers believe that they are signs of hand crafted character rather than anything else.

Knight Toolworks planes feature 1/4″ tool steel irons hardened to RC 62 a for a long-lasting cutting edge. They are soaked in special oil so that they will remain stable without movement (like most planes do in changing weather). Many of the planes also have an adjustable wedge at the front of the mouth which allows the plane to maintain a tight mouth throughout it’s lifetime.

These bench planes work well either pushed or pulled, so you are free to choose the style with which you are most comfortable. Some specialty planes work best as a push-type, but can be made for a pull stroke or in a Japanese style if that’s what you prefer. Every plane comes fully tuned and ready to use; only minor adjustments are needed. All soles are hand-lapped to insure flatness.

You will be impressed with the planes silky action of wood on wood and the extremely fine shavings it produces as it leaves an almost polish surface on even tough woods such as wenge, padouk or birds eye maple. With prices starting at around $200, Knight Toolworks want you to be able to enjoy a great plane at a good price.

If you’re interested in one of Steve’s planes, the Knight Toolworks website can be found at http://www.knight-toolworks.com.

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Tags: 21st Century, American Planemakers, Block, Contemporary Planemakers, Jack, Mitre, Smoothing, Wooden Hand Planes