Sargent planes: An indispensable inheritance

I've seen loads of guys on job sites with the latest and greatest Li-ion tools, fancy trucks, and all the accoutrements of looking the part. What I often see missing from their arsenal are hand tools.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I believe that certain hand tools are indispensable. A simple block plane is one tool that I don't leave home without. In fact, I keep two with me at all times.

My standard block plane is an old Sargent, on the left, that I inherited from a good friend. The plane is 70 years old if it's a day. To me, this reaffirms the old adage: "It pays to buy good tools."

I keep the sole of the plane flat, the blade sharp, and can put it to use when ever I need it. And, I haven't found a tool yet that will let me ease piece of trim or cabinetry against an imperfect wall as well.

Read on, and I'll tell you about the little beauty on the right.

I also carry a low-angle block plane. This one's blade sits at a 12.5-degree angle and is the ideal tool for paring end grain with minimal tear out. I also use this one to add a chamfer to relieve sharp edges on boards or ease a tricky miter tight.

The low angle is great, since it literally shaves transparent ribbons from the wood. It can also be used to cut plywood, MDF, particle board, or PVC, and leave a clean edge in its wake.

There's only one problem with starting down the hand tool path.

You'll find using these tools a sheer joy, and will want to expand your collection. I'm currently fishing for an excuse to upgrade my current planes and have been poring over the Lee Valley and Lie Nielsen catalogs like a teenager with a new Victoria's Secret.

Well, come to think about it, Victoria's Secret catalogs are still pretty cool, too.

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