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I have several matched hollows & rounds…but I don’t have a full set. Or a half set. Poor me. (That said, I do have the two sets I knew I would use, plus a couple unusable ones inherited from my grandfather.)
Anyway…I don’t think a half-set is unreasonable for anyone who pursues hand-tool woodworking. So these aren’t really be an indulgence so much as something you might just have to save up for.
Thus, on my list goes a half-set of H&Rs, from any of several makers whose tools I either own or have used enough to feel comfortable recommending them (with the caveat that not all of them are taking orders…but if you run across their wares in an estate sale, snap ’em up!): M.S. Bickford, Old Street Tool (formerly Clark & Williams), Caleb James and Philly Planes (from whom I, er, borrowed the image).
http://www.msbickford.com/msbickfordhollowsrounds.html
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I can’t resist: for me, the opposite of Sybarite is “Leaverite”. For some, it is a type of unwanted mineral, for me, it is action warranted by the priced tag, as in “leaverite there on the counter, I can’t afford it”.
Like I have said in the past, you need to start making your own H&Rs instead of buying them. They are not that hard to build and it is a very satisfying experience. Even the floats can be made relatively easily. They require a little bit of amateur blacksmithing, but nothing that the average person cannot do.
Yeah Megan , I priced some of Caleb James tools and I don’t think so. I have had cars over the years that I have paid a LOT less for than his planes. Granted they are of superior quality but some of us would be hard pressed to pay $5000.00 for a full set of planes at that price. It has gotten to a point to where this has become a competition between the haves and havenots, not a relaxing hobby for the ones of us that are of lesser means and do this for fun. I do appreciate the helpful tips and tricks that I get from FWW but I am going to keep buying the tools I can afford , that way every once in awhile I can splurge and get some Cheery or Maple to work on from our local wood dealer.
You’re really a sybarite in the truest sense, a person of luxury and pleasure. gosh you just enyoy a multitude of the finest of things. Maybe I’ll obtain just a pair someday?