OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

219761 John Junkroski <jpjunk@m...> 2011‑07‑24 Razor blades and planing
On Jul 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM, Bill Taggert wrote:

>  I don't know anyone who would advocate trying to plane a board with a
>  razor blade.
I'm almost sure that somewhere in my coll..... barn/shop/rural slum
there is a tiny plane, commercially made, painted bright red if memory
serves, which I found at a farm/yard/garage sale for a dime.

It appears to be designed to use a double-edge shaving blade.Long live
KIng Gillette .

If the heat index is below 105 tomorrow, I'll go out there and
look for it.

John

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219765 Kirk Eppler <eppler.kirk@g...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
The idea hasn't died yet
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=56750&cat=1,41182

On Sun, Jul 24, 2011 at 5:39 AM, Frank Sronce wrote:

> John,
>
> Did it look something like this Raza-Plane?
>
> > http://www.flickr.com/photos/**galoot_frank/1624654074/<http://www.flickr.co
m/photos/galoot_frank/1624654074/>
>
> I've had this one for a long time.  For some reason, I always thought it
> might have been British.  At least, I have never found a U. S. blade to fit
> it properly.  It is well made heavy cast iron.  It is 3-5/8" long and 2"
> wide.  I have some other razor planes, but they are all cheaply made pot
> metal.
>
> BTW, if you are somewhere that you think is hot, I'll mention that today
> will be our 23rd straight day of 100+ degree weather.  The 7-day forecast
> doesn't show any break coming.  Oh how I would love a nice cool 99 degree
> day for a change.
>
> Frank Sronce (Fort Worth Armadillo Works)
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Junkroski" 
> To: >
> Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 2:28 AM
> Subject: [OldTools] Razor blades and planing
>
>
>
> On Jul 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM, Bill Taggert wrote:
>
>   I don't know anyone who would advocate
>> trying to plane a board with a razor blade.
>>
>
> I'm almost sure that somewhere in my coll..... barn/shop/rural slum there
> is a tiny plane, commercially made, painted bright red if memory serves,
> which I found at a farm/yard/garage sale for a dime.
>
> It appears to be designed to use a double-edge shaving blade.
> Long live KIng Gillette .
>
> If the heat index is below 105 tomorrow, I'll go out there and look for it.
>
> John
> ------------------------------**------------------------------**
> ------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
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cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools>
>
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.html>
>
> > OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/**archive/<http://swingleydev.com/a
rchive/>
>
> OldTools@r...**edu 
> > http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/**mailman/listinfo/oldtools<http://ruckus.law.
cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

219766 Joe <jem1098@p...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
I've got one, maybe two razor planes. My excuse for lack of pics is that 
it's raining coyotes and jackrabbits right now, but once it lets up I'll 
go out to the shop and find them.
I don't think mine are painted red though - I think they're a dull gray.
Joe M.

On 7/24/2011 12:28 AM, John Junkroski wrote:
> If the heat index is below 105 tomorrow, I'll go out there and look 
> for it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

219763 "Ken Vaughn" <kvaughn65@c...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
There used to be a regular at the Woodworking Shows who demonstrated a
Swiss(?) plane which used disposable double edge blades, but much thicker
than standard shaving blades.  I believe the plane was called a Rali.  The
pitch man was very entertaining, I watched his show each year and probably
could have repeated it, right down to the part about "how many Budweiser's
it would take to finish this board".  Never had any desire to own one,
however.

Ken Vaughn

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Junkroski" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 1:28 AM
Subject: [OldTools] Razor blades and planing

On Jul 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM, Bill Taggert wrote:

>  I don't know anyone who would advocate
> trying to plane a board with a razor blade.

I'm almost sure that somewhere in my coll..... barn/shop/rural slum there is 
a tiny plane, commercially made, painted bright red if memory serves, which 
I found at a farm/yard/garage sale for a dime.

It appears to be designed to use a double-edge shaving blade.
Long live KIng Gillette .

If the heat index is below 105 tomorrow, I'll go out there and look for it.

John

------------------------------------------------------------------------

219768 James Thompson <oldmillrat@m...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
Yes, I also have one of those. I haven't been able to find any double edge razor
 blades so I can try it though. Are there still double edge blades being made?

On Jul 24, 2011, at 12:28 AM, John Junkroski wrote:

> 
> On Jul 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM, Bill Taggert wrote:
> 
>> I don't know anyone who would advocate
>> trying to plane a board with a razor blade. 
> 
> > I'm almost sure that somewhere in my coll..... barn/shop/rural slum there is
 a tiny plane, commercially made, painted bright red if memory serves, which I f
ound at a farm/yard/garage sale for a dime.
> 
> It appears to be designed to use a double-edge shaving blade. 
> Long live KIng Gillette .

------------------------------------------------------------------------

219769 James Thompson <oldmillrat@m...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
I sent that before I clicked on the link to Lee Valley, where they do sell the b
lades.

On Jul 24, 2011, at 6:49 AM, James Thompson wrote:

> > Yes, I also have one of those. I haven't been able to find any double edge r
azor blades so I can try it though. Are there still double edge blades being mad
e?
> 
> 
> On Jul 24, 2011, at 12:28 AM, John Junkroski wrote:
> 
>> 
>> On Jul 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM, Bill Taggert wrote:
>> 
>>> I don't know anyone who would advocate
>>> trying to plane a board with a razor blade. 
>> 
>> >> I'm almost sure that somewhere in my coll..... barn/shop/rural slum there 
is a tiny plane, commercially made, painted bright red if memory serves, which I
 found at a farm/yard/garage sale for a dime.
>> 
>> It appears to be designed to use a double-edge shaving blade. 
>> Long live KIng Gillette .
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
> 
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
> 
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
> 
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
> 
> OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools

------------------------------------------------------------------------

219764 "Frank Sronce" <dilloworks@s...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
John,

Did it look something like this Raza-Plane?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/galoot_frank/1624654074/

I've had this one for a long time.  For some reason, I always thought it 
might have been British.  At least, I have never found a U. S. blade to 
fit it properly.  It is well made heavy cast iron.  It is 3-5/8" long 
and 2" wide.  I have some other razor planes, but they are all cheaply 
made pot metal.

BTW, if you are somewhere that you think is hot, I'll mention that today 
will be our 23rd straight day of 100+ degree weather.  The 7-day 
forecast doesn't show any break coming.  Oh how I would love a nice cool 
99 degree day for a change.

Frank Sronce (Fort Worth Armadillo Works)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Junkroski" 
To: 
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 2:28 AM
Subject: [OldTools] Razor blades and planing

On Jul 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM, Bill Taggert wrote:

>  I don't know anyone who would advocate
> trying to plane a board with a razor blade.

I'm almost sure that somewhere in my coll..... barn/shop/rural slum 
there is a tiny plane, commercially made, painted bright red if memory 
serves, which I found at a farm/yard/garage sale for a dime.

It appears to be designed to use a double-edge shaving blade.
Long live KIng Gillette .

If the heat index is below 105 tomorrow, I'll go out there and look for 
it.

John 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

219770 John Holladay <docholladay0820@g...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
>From everything we know about planes, as a general rule, a nice hefty/stiff
iron with a very sharp edge is desired.  As a result, one would think a thin
little razor blade would not work well for anything other than the thinest
of shaving operations.  I do have a little tool that I kept from back in my
automotive days that uses a common single edge razor blade that come in
handy from time to time.  It's original purpose was as a gasket scraper.
More acurately, it would be used in a low angle paring position to cut the
remaining gasket and/or adhesive from a machined surface.  With a fresh
blade it excelled at this operation.  In woodworking, I occasionally find it
usefule as well.  It can b effective for essentially planing a run in a
finish or some dust bumps in a finish, if used carefully.  Also, held in the
positon of a scraper, it makes a handy little detail scraper for gettinginto
tight spots.

Doc

John Holladay
docholladay0820@g...
205-229-8484
On Jul 24, 2011 8:54 AM, "James Thompson"  wrote:
> I sent that before I clicked on the link to Lee Valley, where they do sell
the blades.
>
> On Jul 24, 2011, at 6:49 AM, James Thompson wrote:
>
>> Yes, I also have one of those. I haven't been able to find any double
edge razor blades so I can try it though. Are there still double edge blades
being made?
>>
>>
>> On Jul 24, 2011, at 12:28 AM, John Junkroski wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> On Jul 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM, Bill Taggert wrote:
>>>
>>>> I don't know anyone who would advocate
>>>> trying to plane a board with a razor blade.
>>>
>>> I'm almost sure that somewhere in my coll..... barn/shop/rural slum
there is a tiny plane, commercially made, painted bright red if memory
serves, which I found at a farm/yard/garage sale for a dime.
>>>
>>> It appears to be designed to use a double-edge shaving blade.
>>> Long live KIng Gillette .
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
>> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
>> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
>> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>>
>> To change your subscription options:
>> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>>
>> To read the FAQ:
>> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>>
>> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>>
>> OldTools@r...
>> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
------------------------------------------------------------------------

219771 "Frank Sronce" <dilloworks@s...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
I know the ones from my Norelco shaver don't work.

Frank Sronce (Fort Worth Armadillo Works)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Thompson" 
To: "John Junkroski" 
Cc: 
Sent: Sunday, July 24, 2011 8:49 AM
Subject: Re: [OldTools] Razor blades and planing

> Yes, I also have one of those. I haven't been able to find any double 
> edge razor blades so I can try it though. Are there still double edge 
> blades being made?
>
>
> On Jul 24, 2011, at 12:28 AM, John Junkroski wrote:
>
>>
>> On Jul 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM, Bill Taggert wrote:
>>
>>> I don't know anyone who would advocate
>>> trying to plane a board with a razor blade.
>>
>> I'm almost sure that somewhere in my coll..... barn/shop/rural slum 
>> there is a tiny plane, commercially made, painted bright red if 
>> memory serves, which I found at a farm/yard/garage sale for a dime.
>>
>> It appears to be designed to use a double-edge shaving blade.
>> Long live KIng Gillette .
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> OldTools is a mailing list catering to the interests of hand tool
> aficionados, both collectors and users, to discuss the history, usage,
> value, location, availability, collectibility, and restoration of
> traditional handtools, especially woodworking tools.
>
> To change your subscription options:
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools
>
> To read the FAQ:
> http://swingleydev.com/archive/faq.html
>
> OldTools archive: http://swingleydev.com/archive/
>
> OldTools@r...
> http://ruckus.law.cornell.edu/mailman/listinfo/oldtools 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

219775 Steve Jones <stjones@k...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
GGs;

This is slightly off-thread because Rali planes don't use conventional
(thin) razor blades; they use HSS and tungsten carbide blades made for
the purpose. They are available on Amazon - a rough equivalent to a
#3 goes for about $180. Google will show you all sorts of links;
here's a old, undated review:http://www.handplane.com/14/rali-planes-a-new-gener
ation-of-
hand-plane/

The fact that they've lasted this long (at least 15-20 years) at those
prices says something - not sure what. I did have a friend years ago who
was making the transition from power to hand tools (mostly violins and
banjos) who had one. He seemed to like it OK.

Don't have one, don't want one, don't want to use one. Just providing
some additional data points.

Steve aKg

On Sun, Jul 24, 2011 at 8:37 AM, Ken Vaughn  wrote:
> There used to be a regular at the Woodworking Shows who demonstrated a
> Swiss(?) plane which used disposable double edge blades, but much
> thicker than standard shaving blades. =A0I believe the plane was
> called a Rali. =A0The pitch man was very entertaining, I watched his
> show each year and probably could have repeated it, right down to the
> part about "how many Budweiser's it would take to finish this board".
> =A0Never had any desire to own one, however.
>
> Ken Vaughn
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

219782 "Frank Sronce" <dilloworks@s...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
Steve,

I bought one of their block planes about 30 years ago. I probably 
haven't used it in the last 25 or so years.

Frank Sronce (Fort Worth Armadillo Works)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Jones" 

Don't have one, don't want one, don't want to use one.  Just providing
some additional data points.

Steve
aKg

On Sun, Jul 24, 2011 at 8:37 AM, Ken Vaughn  
wrote:
> There used to be a regular at the Woodworking Shows who demonstrated a
> Swiss(?) plane which used disposable double edge blades, but much 
> thicker
> than standard shaving blades. I believe the plane was called a Rali. 
> The
> pitch man was very entertaining, I watched his show each year and 
> probably
> could have repeated it, right down to the part about "how many 
> Budweiser's
> it would take to finish this board". Never had any desire to own one,
> however.
>
> Ken Vaughn 

------------------------------------------------------------------------

219762 Philip Yarra <philip.yarra@i...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
John Junkroski mentioned a plane that uses a razor blade... I believe 
some generous soul donated one similar to Peter McBride, purely for 
laughs. Why yes, here's a picture:

http://www.petermcbride.com/magnum09/img/magnum_058.jpg

I'm pretty sure it hasn't quite made it to the top shelf of Peter's 
collection just yet :-)

Regards, Philip.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

219804 John Junkroski <jpjunk@m...> 2011‑07‑24 Re: Razor blades and planing
An unprecedented occurrence, the planets must be in alignment.... I went
out to the barn and found the razor blade plane in the first drawer I
opened. Bloody amazing.

In fact I found two, both of which claim to be useful for straight and
curved work. One lists warped doors, dresser drawers, fine work on
boats, paintscraper, cabinet makers, model makers, pattern makers,
tradesmen, handymen, hobbyists and housewives. What an amazing tool! Why
would anyone ever want another plane?

I posted pics on Galoot Image Central under jonjunk.

On Jul 24, 2011, at 11:00 AM, oldtools-request@r... wrote:
>>> Message: 4
> Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 02:28:38 -0500 From: John Junkroski
>  Subject: [OldTools] Razor blades and planing To:
> oldtools@r... Message-ID: <389E517F-D001-4935-9A8A-E48EC0EF5D52@m...>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>>> On Jul 20, 2011, at 11:00 AM, Bill Taggert wrote: I don't know
>>> anyone who would advocate
>> trying to plane a board with a razor blade.>> I'm almost sure that
>> somewhere in my coll..... barn/shop/rural slum there is a tiny
>> plane, commercially made, painted bright red if memory serves, which
>> I found at a farm/yard/garage sale for a dime. It appears to be
>> designed to use a double-edge shaving blade.> Long live KIng
>> Gillette . If the heat index is below 105 tomorrow, I'll go out
>> there and look for it. John
>>>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

219858 Thomas Conroy <booktoolcutter@y...> 2011‑07‑25 Re: Razor blades and planing
O Galoots

I have three planes that take double-edged razor blades, from two makers
in two designs, neither of which has been shown yet. There is some
discussion of them in this link

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t including a further link
to instructions on how to make your own out of wood, and about a third
of the way down there is a bunch of photos of different types. Mine are
a curved-sided Little Giant (I agree with someone in the link, this is
best of the lot, or at least the best I have handled) and two Wilkros.
The blades of the Wilkros stick out to the sides and cut your fingers
when you try to hold them (just the sides of the blades, not the edges,
but that is enough) so I suspect that fifty or eighty years ago razor
blades were narrower (had shorter edges, I mean... I mean, the long
dimension was shorter).

 All mine are bare, now rather oxidized, aluminum. I've also seen the
 Little Giant with a thin blue coating, more like anodization than
 paint. They aren't uncommon in hand binderies, bought with the idea of
 using them to pare leather, almost always ending up in the box of
 totally useless junk. The problem is that there is no way to adjust the
 depth of cut. I do know one good binder who used one for paring leather
 for a while, but eventually she learned to sharpen and shifted to a
 spokeshave. They must have been popular, though, because there are so
 many around, and a lot of the modelmakers on the linked thread clearly
 rely on them.

Tom Conroy San Francisco

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