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Hello Terry: Just a quick note to thank you for your quick response to
my questions several weeks ago and also to tell you I bought the A55
smoother and have been very impressed with it. I think the
combination of a wood plane with mechanical control over the blade
offers the best of both worlds, and the A55 has been a joy to use. I
also appreciate your personal response; that made a big impression on
me as I made my decision. I will certainly look to Gordon planes
first when I consider another purchase. Sincerely, Scott Burnette 12
May 08
I have bought four HNT Gordon planes over the last
month, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am more
than pleased with all Terry’s planes. They are like a work of art, and
the timbers are absolutely beautiful. These tools produce a superbly
smooth finish. The cuts they took were cloud like whispers and I doubt I
will have to sand again. I find I am now reaching for a Gordon plane
instead of my vintage Norris. Something I thought could never happen.
They are beautifully tuned and worked well right out of the box, and
they are hands down the best plane I own. I met Terry for the first
time, at the woodworking show, and was pleased to find him very helpful,
and a VERY nice bloke. Brent Smith, Moorwell VIC 23 October
07
Terry, I just got
your gidgee curved spokeshave and hey what a superb tool. Besides
being beautifully made, out of the box it works astonishingly well –
paper thin shavings off Tasmanian Blackwood both with and against the
grain! The material I’m working with at the moment is contrary and I
expected to have to do quite a lot of sanding on curved surfaces cut
on the shaper (even where the shaper was cutting with the grain). To
my delight a couple of touches with my new spokeshave and I have a
shimmering hand-planed finish on difficult timber. I’m very impressed.
Regards, Ted Pritchard
26 May 07
Terry,
Thanks for the awesome service at the Melbourne wood show. I bought one
of your 1" shoulder planes a couple of years ago, and have used it
continually since. My students have also used, and always argue
about who gets to use the "Old School" plane first. I've actually had
kids turn up 1/2 an hour early so they can be first in line to clean up
their tenons, etc. I bought two more Gidgee 1" shoulder planes at
the show for the school (Mainly so I can get mine out of general
circulation!), and as soon as the students walked in Monday morning and
saw the planes sitting on the bench, they couldn't wait to get started.
Now the fights only last half as long, because there are two planes to
fight over! And they've only been in the school 3 days!
I cannot recommend your planes for schools more
highly. Not only are they great to look to, which intrigues the
students, but the ease of use, setting up, and finish they give is the
best I have come across. No one treats a tool more roughly than a
teenage woodwork student, but your tools are treated with a reverence by
the students that is a wonder to see. They make sure that no-one messes
with "Gordon" and "Terry", the names they have given the planes, and
that they are given pride of place in the workshop.
Once again, thank you for your wonderful tools
which seem to inspire the students in ways I can't!
Cheers Scott Rowlings Timber Studies
Wodonga Senior Secondary College
Well the plane has arrived thank you, and as
usual it's far too beautiful to use and your carefully grain-matched
components have just taken it over the top! So it's still sitting on
the table. Might manage to talk myself into actually trying it
today. Or maybe not. I already know that it will work at least as
well as it looks.
How you do it for the money I don't know, but
there is no possible argument - your beautiful planes are
outstandingly the best value for money available, as well as being the
finest timber planes I've ever seen, used or even heard of. Including
the old Matheisons, of which I have a few. They work better than
others costing several times the price, they never need even the
slightest 'fettling' because they are always perfectly true, accurate
and sharp, and always too pretty to use. I hope they bring you much
success for many years Terry because you certainly deserve it and the
planes will still be delighting their owners long after you and I are
gone. Many thanks again, Regards, Ian.
Hi Ian Glad you like the plane. Best you put it
to use. Thanks for the praise, it is appreciated and happy
woodworking. Regards Terry
Hello Terry,
Liked it?! Yes, well, I knew you were going to
say something like that so I talked myself into getting it
dusty today. Now I had my first lessons on planing from Dad as a
little boy near enough to 50 years ago. But today was the first time
I've ever taken a full width, translucent shaving nearly the
full length of a 10 foot board with a trying plane -
effortlessly! It's a roey piece of less-than-expertly milled New
Guinea Rosewood with plenty of grain reversals, some fiddleback, and
three knots - now all razor-sliced so cleanly that it glitters in the
light. There's nothing I could do to it now that wouldn't spoil it.
Including a full acid-finished French polish job!
Tell you what Terry, somebody in the world
somewhere may make a better trying plane than you do - but I haven't
heard about it yet! And anything I've seen that even starts to
approach this beautiful thing costs multiples of your prices. Clearly,
I'm just stoked and haven't come down yet, so 'thank you' isn't really
adequate. But thank you anyway Terry - you're a Master. Very
Sincerely, Ian. Thursday,
February 02, 2006
I use old molding planes for most of my
hobby-work. I was a restoration carpenter for 15 yrs in a place
called New England (the early north-east colonies, then ruptured 2
discs. On to another, but mundain life and I waited 20 yrs to get
back into woodworking. But there are those planes that are just too
beat or ill made from that era, and I'm not about to enter the world
of infills. I've been buying various smoothers from Knight Toolworks.
Steve makes very nice planes and cannot fault them. I don't think
the other US maker can justify $400 for a smoother, and I would not
want one without an adjustable mouth. I like wild figured woods, but
I don't like to sand. Occasionally need to do some scraping, but not
much.
I have no doubt that your plane will please me, and I will try it
as a scraper on some Hond. mahogany crotch that has proved the most
difficult wood (and the hardest) I've run into. The bigger the
crotch, the harder the wood seems. I bid on your plane for its
standard purposes though,
but I will stretch the parameters. I will let you know what I think
from various perspectives. Alan Waring 14 December 05
Dear Terry,
Of course the Brazilian rosewood 1" shoulder
plane has arrived, but did so in the midst of the holidays, and so I
kept it until I had proper time to open. I left positive. fdbk
before I opened it. I new it a given. My next problem was finding a
block of time in which I could put the plane thru its paces before I
wrote back to let you know what I thought of the plane.
Well, first let me sat that I'm heartily glad
I did not go the overpriced antique infill route. Your craftsmanship
is second to none, and to find an original iron of equal quality &
weight would have been impossible. The weight of the irons being
used by you and the few other wooden plane makers of the 21st
century is the primary reason for my inclination to "modern" wooden
planes.
Secondly, your overall craftsmanship inspires
the user to do better work. You cannot receive a better statement
regarding your work and your philosophy of life. (I understand you
as a man simply by your plane. You've earned a friend and a
customer.) I pulled the plane from the box and went to work. When I
got to some hard oak, I removed the iron and stropped it. Your wedge
and pin setup makes for the quickest setup on ANY plane I've ever
used! Full stop. I shall try it as a scraper on some Honduran
mahogany crotch. This is the hardest wood I've ever come across.
Hard as in difficult, and hard as in dense. It laughs at 1/4"
Japanese smoothing irons in both regards. Its one wood that can only
be scraped.
Terry, in plain words; great plane. One of the
few tools I won that are a privilege to own and use.
Thanks! Alan Waring Fairfield, Connecticut USA 23
January 2006
Hi Terry,
Just wanted to
thank you, once again, for the replacement smoother that I picked up
at the Melbourne show. I was telling a friend about your fantastic
commitment to quality and service and it reminded him of something
that happened to a friend of his some 25 years ago. This chap had a
Silver Ghost that had been past through the family to him and had been
re-bodied and in constant use over the years. It eventually overheated
and he discovered that the cylinder head had cracked so he wrote to
Rolls Royce and asked them if they still had parts for the ghost
engine. He received a letter back from them stating that "Silver
Ghost cylinder heads do not crack" and a replacement with all the
gaskets etcetera was on its way to him free of charge (he was only
after the gaskets and seals as he planned to weld up the original
head). It is very
inspiring to be the recipient of this level of service and I would
like to think that, if I ever get myself to a situation where I am
crafting wooden boats for a living, I would be able to provide a
similar level and quality of service to my customers. Anyway, the
centre board and case are now finished and it looks like we may be
launching later this summer. Cheers Warren Broom Surrey
Hills Victoria 18 November 2005
To Terry
Just a quick note to say that the trying plane arrived and I have been
using it to flatten a workbench. It is fantastic. I don't normally thank
suppliers for gear, but this time I just had to as it is such a pleasure
to use. Thanx Keith Luckhurst 8 September 2005
To Whom It May Concern
In early March 2005 I purchased three plane irons from
Academy Saws of Caloundra to replace the original irons
fitted to three Stanley G 020 block planes. These planes are used to
prepare scions and rootstocks for grafting of Macadamia seedlings.
Each graft requires 40 to 60 blows with the plane. Each grafter
performs 180 to 200 grafts in an eight hour session. Silica and other
dusts are present on the rootstocks and scions. The Academy irons hold
a cutting edge for the entire session. The original Stanley irons were
changed after four hours of grafting. Sharpening of the Academy irons
has become the work of minutes. The 'back edge' of the Academy irons
shows no 'scolloping' after six weeks of almost daily use. It is my
intention to replace all of the Stanley plane irons in use with
Academy irons when they become available. I highly recommend the use
of Academy irons to all persons engaged in the craft of grafting using
the 'whip method' where accuracy, finish and speed are of consequence.
Peter Henson, Partner, HF Nursery, Georgica NSW. April 2005 Back to Paul Williams -
Academy Saws
Dear Mr
Gordon,
I picked up a
palm smoother from Sydney a couple of years ago, not because I had
any use for one at the time, but just because it was so beautifully
made ("Raspberry Jam" wood). Having just spent this last week making
up gunwales for a boat I am building and finally finding a use for
the plane in rounding over the edges, it very quickly became
apparent that it is, in fact, the finest tool I own.....
I have just
chucked all me y stanleys in the bin and will be ordering a jack
plane and large smoother from you shortly. Thank you for perfecting
your sart and making such fine tools available to ludites like
myself.
kindest
regards Warren Broom Almost a boat builder, Melbourne 28 March
05
Hello Warren
Thanks for the feedback on the plane, it is
appreciated. If we can help you further with other tools just
let us know.
Happy woodworking. Regards Terry 29 March 05
Hi Terry,
Got the smoother
in the mail yesterday and I am damned if I can see a hairline crack
anywhere....
Went into the
garage and found the meanest piece of myrtle beech I have. Normally
you would have to scrape the highly figured grain and then wet sand
with oil to get a decent surface. Well, 2 passes with the plane
straight out of the box and I have a burnished, almost glossy finish.
You are, without doubt, the master plane maker. I was, at one stage
considering a Liegh Nielson or possibly an EMC. I will eventually get
a jack and a jointer from you and, apart from some good guttering
planes, that should do me. Feel free to use my comments in your
marketing and I look forward to meeting you at the next Melbourne
woodworking show. thanks again, Warren 5 April 05
Terry,
I just wanted to let you know that the US Postal Service finally got
their act together and delivered my package yesterday…I was beginning
to get worried.
I have yet to get them all
assembled, as I got home really late last night…but at first glance
everything looks incredible. The pictures don’t do them justice, and
I am amazed at how much they shimmer; I didn’t think ebony had that
quality. The hardest part was deciding which ones to bring with me to
work this morning, as I have been talking about them for months now.
I’m looking forward to going home after work and making some
shavings…that is if I can bring myself to put them to use. I will let
you know how things go after I get them all tuned and have had a
chance to work with them for a little while, but I’m not expecting any
issues.
Actually the only complaint thus
far, was voiced by my fiancée as I tore into the packaging at 2 in the
morning…strewing packing peanuts, bubble wrap, cardboard boxes and the
occasional misguided rubber band all about our bed. She didn’t quite
seem to share the same enthusiasm that I did, as I continued to
proudly display each and every plane in the box. Maybe it was my
shouting of, “Hey look at this one…no really, open your eyes.” that
caused her to give me ‘the’ look. Or maybe, just the fact that at 2
in the morning she wanted nothing more than to be sound asleep,
instead of looking at my new wares. Either way, I think these planes
will end up costing me much more than originally anticipated…as I fear
that a really nice dinner or two, and maybe some flowers are needed to
repair the damage done by my little outburst. Don’t suppose you know
a good couples counsellor?
Thanks again for your hard work and
great customer service. Regards, Paul 18 February 05
At the recent working with wood show in Canberra
I saw you demonstrating a plane. I was amazed at how little effort
seem to be needed to use them. I got the your broucher thinking I
might get one day when I had some spare money as at present I am only
working part time and studying to become a teacher full time. Looking
through the broucher I saw you had a set of planes in African
Blackwood, so I got on your web sight to see what something like that
would look like. They were fantastic photos and I printed them off to
show my wife what I was talking about when I said there was a bloke
who makes his own planes.
So imagine my surprise that on my 40th birthday I
was presented with the most amazing gift I could imagine it was a full
set of African Blackwood planes. They are magnificent which put me
into a major dilemma. How could I possible be able to use them. I mean
they are of such incredible quality that I was afraid to use them.
What if I scratched them. How could I run them over a piece of wood
that may make them. So for the first month all I did was to show them
off, took them to work to show clients I was doing jobs for. When we
went out to friends I took a couple so I could show people how great
they are and what a wonderful wife I have.
Well a month went past and I thought I would try
one of them on a soft piece of Huon pine so as not to make the timber
yet see how they cut. Wow is all I can say the plane just glided
across the timber like a hot knife through butter. No matter how I set
the plane it just glided. I have since graduated to using them all the
time now and it never stops amazing me how well they work. Each time I
pick one up to use I think nice things about both you and my wife.
Thank you Terry you really are a Craftsman.
Regards Mark Gannon Canberra Aust 2 December 04
Dear Mr. Gordon-
I recently purchased one of your planes (1 1/4 " ebony shoulder plane
) from the California woodworker. I was in the market for a larger
shoulder plane and after reading about your planes in the Charlesworth
books, and, in Fine Woodworking I decided to give it a try. To say
that I was impressed would be an understatement. I honed the blade and
tried it out on some figured pearwood where it
produced a fine, smooth tearout free surface. My next step was to
order your smoother plane in gidgee. Once again my expectations were
exceeded. Thank you for making such wonderful tools at a price which
woodworkers can afford. I am looking forward to buying your try plane
in the near future.
Sincerely,
Michael Ellis,
Carpenter
Portland State University
Dept. of Facilities 19 October 04
The following email was sent to Bill Kohr -
Craftsmas Stdudio who then forwarded it to HNT Gordon.
Bill,
Thanks
Just received the HNT Gordon 3/4 Inch Shoulder
Plane Plane "WOW" am I impressed, I stropped the blade a
couple of times, set the blade and it was ready to go with beautiful
results. I have never had any plane go to work right out of the box,
not even a Lie-Nielson.
I will buy more of these very soon......Steve Landers
Sent: Friday, June 25, 2004
Hi Terry (& Jill),
The planes arrived today. *Wow* they look fantastic! I see what you mean
by the Tiger Myrtle not
being as dense as the Gidgee. I'll be careful with it.
I tried out the Smoother (the Shoulder plane was missing it's iron, so
I'll have to wait until you can send the iron to try it out) this
evening on some "easy" woods I had lying around (solid ash and glued up
pine planks), just for fun and to get the hang of adjusting the plane.
3 points stick out in my mind:
1. your irons redefine "sharp" for me. I thought my irons were sharp
(using a jig and japanese whetstones, shaving hair off my arm as a
test), now I see that they can be even sharper.
2. The finish, balance and ergonomics of the plane are exceptional. The
plane itself looks like furniture quality work, my girlfriend asked how
it was finished to such a high lustre (both planes and mallet). I
wonder the same thing. Any trade secrets you can reveal here? I'd love
my work to look as good as your tools :-)
3. Adjusting was much simpler than I had anticipated. I did a few
practice attempts and was making hair thin shavings in a few minutes. A
minute or two going over the piece of ash transformed it from "kind of
flat and a bit rough" (from machine planer) to "silky smooth" - and
shiny! I thought I'd need to save up big money to get an infill smoother
someday to get "shiny" surfaces, but it looks like I need to reconsider.
The results I got after only a few tries at adjusting (and no tweaking -
everything seemed flat and the shaving was quite fine) would seem to
indicate that when I really get the hang of fine tuning the iron
settings with the mallet, I should be able to get perfect surfaces. I
did get a few "plane tracks" (where the corner of the iron leaves a
line), but they were minimal. I assume I need to slightly round off the
far edges of the iron to avoid this, correct?
Next week I'm visiting a friend who builds guitars and basses (mostly
solid body) and will bring along my HNT Gordon Smoother for him to try
out.
I'd like to thank you again for assisting me in my transaction, and for
delivering items that far exceed my expectations. I'm sure the issue
with the Shoulder plane iron will be remedied promptly.
Best regards,
Thor p.s. Any tips on how to put ones name on the heel of the
plane as suggested? 10 June 04
Hi Terry,
I don't expect you to remember me but I bought the 1inch shoulder plane
at the Sydney Wood Show last Friday, I believe I may have won you a $5
bet as to which would sell first. I proudly took it home and its first
job was to dress back a set of splined feathers on a pair of highly
figured silky oak boxes I was making to house a collection of 8 x 10
photos. Without honing the blade at all, I set the plane and dressed
back the beefwood feathers with the surplus simply sliding out of the
plane and I could even use the sound to tell me when the spline was
fully dressed. I used the shoulder plane on its side on a sliding block
and it felt like it was made for my hands. I then used it to ease the
beefwood inset rim inside the box so that the lid closes with a gentle
sigh. I have proudly added it to your smoother and half inch shoulder
plane that grace my workshop but the 1 inch shoulder is clearly the
favourite. I should have bought the jack plane and shooting board I was
coveting but maybe I wouldn't have enjoyed the shoulder plane as much.
Oh well, as I drive to Byron Bay in October for my annual escape and
wood gathering I might just be able to stop for the plane in Alstonville
and shooting board at Byron, thanks for the pleasure,
Alan Flett
Camden NSW
Thursday, 10 June 2004 9:29 PM
PS. I added Colin's small mitre square to the collection as well so,
this show, only Micheal missed out.
Terry,
I'm afraid it is with deep regret that I must
inform you of my dissatifaction with your products. After worrying
over how I could afford to spend several hundred dollars for a metal
shoulder plane from either Lie Nielsen or from Ebay I decided to give
one of your one inch shoulder planes a try, an ebony model to be
specific. Upon opening the box when the plane arrived I was stunned
by the beauty of the instrument in my hands as was my three year old
grandson (the blade has been classified as an "Owwie" and we don't
touch it). No matter how I tried I could not bring myself to putting
the plane to the duty it was intended. I'm sorry I was just too
afraid I would mar the beautiful surfaces. My solution to the problem
was simple I would have to purchase another plane as a "user" and keep
the ebony model for display in the den. With this in mind I order an
ironwood model of the same width. You can imagine my disappointment
when I opened this box only to find another plane just as beautiful.
While I have been able to bring myself to taking a couple of test
shavings on a tenon I was working on, I fear this tool will also find
its future limited to work on only very special projects where the
order of the day is the very gentlest of work so I can be assured that
this instrument's beauty will endure as well. For those of us who
like to "pound" around in the shop and drop things more than
occasionally, for all of us weekend wood whitlers with grandsons to
teach the fine points of woodworking to, I would suggest the
production of a line of true "user" planes, real bangers made to be
abused without guilt or remorse. Please maintain the accuracy, fit
and finish necessary to take those paper thin shavings but use
different materials. I know you must have a bunch of tarnished brass
laying in the back room. I'm sure you could fine some ugly ratty wood
to use. Perhaps you could even paint the plane drab olive green ?
THEN I'd have a tool I could use day in, day out !!
Seriously now, I'm thrilled with the planes
and look forward to using them on many heirloom projects in the
future. It is rare in this day and age to find someone willing to
produce a tool that not only does it's job well but is pleasure to
look at as well. Be assured one of them will probably be reserved for
my grandson's use when he gets a little bigger. Thanks Terry.
Keith Lanham Indiana USA 25 May 04
Subject: Ebony Try Plane
Terry:
Just wanted to let you know that the plane arrived safely last week. I
couldn't be happier with the way it turned. I'd been talking with my
students about the plane for weeks and they were primed to put it
to the test the minute it came. And test it they did, after I'd had a
chance to play with it first, of course. I asked them to bring in
samples of woods they'd found to be consistently difficult to plane, and
I must say they obliged. We had quilted Big Leaf Maple, Black Locust,
Pacific Yew, Wenge, Red Ironwood, and a particularly contrary piece of
Courbaril. These are the kind of timbers that usually drive my students
straight for the wide-belt sander. But the plane performed beautifully
and in no time there was a lovely pile of multi-colored shavings
surrounding my bench. When I showed them that it was possible to take
a tissue paper thin shaving across Buckeye burl, their collective jaws
dropped in amazement. I never thought I'd say this but, honestly, I'm
beginning to think your planes are the equal of my best Japanese ones.
Thanks for making this gorgeous plane for me, Terry. It's a treasure
and so are you.
Best,
Meredith Morgan
Sent: Wednesday, May 12, 2004 2:13 AM
P.S. My students are curious about the origins of the design. I told
them I thought it resembled planes I'd seen years ago in Singapore but I
couldn't be sure. I promised them I'd ask.
Hi Meredith
Glad to hear the plane arrived safely and that you are happy with it.
I spend several years in Malaysia ( which is next to Singapore) where I
picked up many ideas on planes. The handle design and low set body is
very much an Asian influence.
Regards Terry
Terry
Just a quick note of appreciation. In the last
three weeks I have bought one of your 3/4 inch shoulder planes, one of
your smoothing planes and a mallet. (Incidentally, I bought all three
from Carba-Tec in Perth).
I am absolutely delighted with the planes (and
the mallet is easier to use than a hammer when I'm adjusting the
planes). Both of the planes cut quite well straight out of the box and
with a little tuning, they work really well. They are a revelation.
Until recently, I have only use metal-bodied planes - mainly Stanleys.
Until I read your article in Australian Wood Review last year, I had
no real understanding of the importance of the plane's bed angle in
getting good results on different types of timber. Now that I own one
of your smoothers, I can really appreciate what a difference the
steeper angle makes when planing hardwood with difficult grain. I've
spent the last two days planing some jarrah with quite a bit of tricky
grain (nothing unusual about that with jarrah!). Your smoothing plane
makes one helluva difference.
Bed angle aside, there's more to your planes than
that. I am most impressed with the finish quality you achieve.
Furthermore the basic design is attractive. The planes are simple,
functional and elegant in a purposeful way. As you might have gathered
by now, you have found a convert - I'm saving my pennies to buy a
couple more! Best regards and keep up the good work Col Webb
Subject: planes arrived
Terry,
Just beautiful. Amazing aesthetics and you let the
wood tell the story, which is what this is all about anyway. I want to
scream and have anyone who wants to work wood hear your name... carls
Good Afternoon,
I just wanted to let you know that the plane showed up just a little bit
ago and zowieeeee!!! If I'd known that a wooden plane could be so
beautiful, I'd've tried to find one years ago. It's hard to describe
the sensations I get when I'm holding it, but they are amazing!! The
build quality is outstanding, although I'm a little disappointed in the
scratches and discoloration on the bronze base. I'd hoped it would be
pristine upon arrival but I'm not sure that it really matters, the thing
is beautiful even with the scratches, it would only be more beautiful
without them. Hopefully, over time, I'll be able to save a
bit more for another one of ya'll's planes, if it doesn't happen soon,
it won't be because I didn't try.
I've enjoyed our little trade and will look forward to the next.
With very high regard,
Ross H.
Good morning Terry.
I was given one of your ebony trying planes as a retirement present
recently and may I say that it is simply magnificent! My wife thought
that it was too good to use and wanted to put it on display. However, I
managed to sneak it into the garage where it performed wonders in
levelling out the top of my new bench. I had never used a hand plane
before but I think that my Makita is now redundant!
Cheers
Brian.
Hey Terry,
What are you playing at?? This plane's no bloody good at
all!
How can I possibly take something that pretty into a
dirty dusty workshop and scratch up lumps of wood with
it? Came up very nice he sez? What a master of
understatement. It is so beautiful that I can't even
bring myself to put grubby hands on it and try it out
yet! I put it together and it's sitting beside me on top
of a veneered quarter sawn silky oak bookshelf, which it
puts to shame. And anyway I don't need to try it because
I already know your planes will true up the edge of a
postage stamp. And probably take the ink off the face
without hurting the paper as well!
What a privilege to have someone of such talent make me
such a tool. Particularly in these days when so many
people don't even understand what true quality actually
is. (Did you watch "Longitude" on ABC recently?
Somebody understood why old Harrison spent his lifetime
inventing and perfecting the maritime clock.) I thought
your stock planes were brilliant, and then you made me
the little one which is just extraordinary. But this time
you have really excelled yourself. I wish my old Dad had
lasted long enough to see it. Truly fine tools delighted
him endlessly, but he was never fortunate enough to have
anything like this.
I think I'll just leave it sitting on the bookcase for a
few more days.
With very sincere thanks,
Ian.
Dear Sir
Can I say how delighted I am with the trying plane I purchased from you.
Although one of your bargain planes, the blemishes are so small it is
hard
to call it second. The blemishes shown on your web site were an accurate
portrayal and gives one confidence.
Am still playing with how to adjust it but this coming slowly and, when
I
get it right, it gives a lovely thin shaving.
You deserve your success
Philip Stimpson
Terry
I have to say that your are a terrific guy and great
craftsman. I posted some effusive praise on Ebay, but
they only give you 80 characters, and I needed more
space.
If you are trying to get a wider market or into a new
store or just have a customer that wants a reference I
would be happy to sing your praise. The shoulder plane and
the kit plane (jack) are outstanding, and work extremely
well. I have some wooden planes from a plane maker
occasionally selling on Ebay and through some WW mags,
and they do not compare in fit or function. He too is a
nice guy, but I find myself reaching more and more for
your planes now because they really work well and feel
great in my hand. I have a sinking feeling that after I
get my smoother that my 4 1/2 smoother is going back in
the box... too much $$ to just sit around the shop. Look
for it on Ebay.
Any way, thanks again for a great product and great
service.
Richard Fraser
Dear Terry,
Thank you for the replacement plane which I received
today.
I must say that I am extremely happy with your prompt
response.
I have recommended your planes to a number of my friends
and frequently describe them as my nicest tools, they are
effective, efficient and a pleasure to use.
Thanks again,
Regards Michael Egan
Hello Terry!
I'm very excited (and poor!) that I won these planes!
Now, I have a complete set and in such a beautiful wood!
With your craftsmanship and the ebony, I know these will
be the best planes ever made!
I was also glad to see a lot of activity on these planes
and was hoping that, even if I couldn't win, I could get
the price up where it belonged.
I don't know if you recall me saying how many other
planes I have (Footprint, Record, Stanley, ECE, a couple
Japanese and others) but your's are, by far, the best
functional and beautiful planes I own!
Yes, please charge them to the same credit card and I
send them whenever you have time, including the lace
shoulder plane. I know how busy you must be and there's
absolutely no rush.
Thanks again Terry - you're the best!
Best regards!
Mike
Terry
As you may remember, I own many hand-planes, and I use
them every day in my custom furniture business. I have a
few E.C.E. Primus planes, several Clifton planes, a
handful of new other smoothers & block planes, and
even a few antique Spiers & Norris models (these
don't get used much anymore). I take great pride in the
quality of my tools, and especially in my hand plane
collection.
Of all the planes I have ever used, I can honestly say
that this shoulder plane you sent me tops the list. The
fit and finish is excellent, the sole is dead flat, the
sides are dead square, the iron is massive and bedded
rock solid, the throat is tight, and aside from
everything else, it is absolutely
beautiful. I have never been able to pull a curl off
end-grain fibers before, and even before I honed the
blade I was able to pull 4" shavings from a tennon
shoulder!!! I used the plane all weekend on a
"mission style" (arts & crafts movement)
table (lots of through tennons). All-in-all, I am very
very pleased.
Thanks again
David B. Wait
Vertigo Custom Contracting - "makers of heirloom
quality furniture"
Terry -having seen you demonstrate your planes at the
Axminster show in UK
recently - I bought one of your HSS smoothing planes from
The Tool Shop.
As a designer-craftsman this tool is exactly what I've
been looking for both
in terms of use and aesthetics. It is a lovely to use and
has made my metal
planes redundant.
Well done ! All the best Guy Lewis
Hullo Terry,
Just to let you know that my beautiful Ringed Gidgee
plane arrived yesterday, and exceeds expectations! It is
not only the prettiest, but also by far the finest plane
I have ever used - and I've used better than I own. I
promptly dug out all sorts of bits of cranky grained
special wood I'd tossed in the corner after tearing lumps
out of them, as being only useable if I felt like sanding
them to size. Well now a lot of them are planed - so
perfectly that it would be sacrilege to let
sandpaper anywhere near them! Everything from a piece of
curly camphor with potholes at every grain reversal,
through old seasoned quarter sawn beefwood, to a lump of
Pink Gidgee which I'd already given up on and finish
sanded laboriously. All are now satin-smooth perfect with
minimum effort and I have a multi coloured snowstorm of
transparent shavings every time I move. I will most
certainly be ordering the next size up as soon as I can
afford it, and so on. Terry, your planes don't only
exceed expectations - they also exceed their publicity
which is so
rare as to be practically unheard of - a great credit to
your skill and integrity. Particularly when something
like a Stanley etc costs about the same, looks cheap,
needs half-a-day's setup and tuning, and even then is
totally incapable of even coming close to the capability
of your
planes. Many thanks. Keep a couple of bits of R.G. handy
because you'll be hearing from me again soon.
Regards, Ian Kennedy.
Terry,
I received the gidgee shoulder plane yesterday. Well
packaged, etc. What a work of art!
I set it up just like instructed and it worked
beautifully. I have some 24 tenons on these storm windows
I am building that will need touching up and your plane
is the perfect tool.
I am so pleased with the purchase.
Thanks for making such a beautiful, functional tool. I am
a customer for life.
Regards,
John Allen
p.s. the weight of this tool is truly wonderful. I don't
remember
seeing that discussed much on the website. It is truly
one of its'
many benefits; it just feels so substantial in the hand.
John Allen
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