I was in to the Calgary LV store Mondayday and tried out a couple of 
their offerings.

DX60 
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=61963&cat=1,41182,48942,61963

This one worked well, is very nice in the hand, compact and a good 
weight, but I found it lacking in places to provide a good grip while 
planing. I don't have a very strong hand, and short fingers, so those 
may be factors.


Veritas Standard block plane 
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=47881&cat=1,41182,41188,47881

This worked well, but seemed too big for me - almost the size/weight of 
a No.3, my favourite Stanley bench plane size. It has real heft, and 
considerable width.  A sales guy was quick to point out that the 
low-angle version can be outfitted with a proper tote or ball tail and a 
wooden knob ( none of which I tried), so maybe it can play with the big 
boys. Or if you want a small low-angle bench plane...

In sum, neither grabbed me as buy-it-now, in large part because neither 
suited my hand size and grip.

I didn't bother to check the length of the bedding. Could do next visit 
if someone really wants to know.

For context, I use a wedge-adjusted ECE wooden block, a No.18 
('improved' version), a No.65 & a Stanley G-12-060 (that's what it says 
on the side!).  And I like them all.

Don

-- 
I have decided to leave my past behind. So, if I owe you money...I am sorry, but
I’ve moved on.

The harder they come, the bigger they fall." Ry Cooder