Luthiers Hand Planes: exquisite new tools for the violin maker

1. New concept adjustable mouth due to an innovatory design of the plane body. Nothing else like it.
2. Pat applied design registered innovative design.
3. Heavy section high carbon steel iron of toolmakers gauge plate. Diamond lapped flat to toolroom standards.
4. Three widths of iron, 10mm, 1/2",5/8". Body overall length 1-5/8 inch.
5. Curved soles (as per a compass or coachmakers plane) are available at either 5, 7, or 10 diameter profile. These can be owner-modified with handfiles to a compound 'fishbelly' curvature if desired.
6. Solid brass body, stainless and blued steel R.Kell made details.
7. Excellent 'hand memory',form and weight. Screams quality. Some tolerances less than 0.001 inch in its manufacture.
8. So easily sharpened with my no.1 guide. n.b curved edge iron is by hand. Be sure to keep iron oiled to stop rusting.
9. Mouth profile/geometry can be so easily modified to as you wish.
10. Can be used bevel down or up. Iron sharpened at 25 degrees, frog is 30 degrees. Sets beautifully by opening a book or diary, press the plane body down firmly onto the page and let the iron drop to the paper surface, then clamp. Hey presto fast accurate setting and one thou shavings.
11. Available only direct from the maker, paypal/export available.

I guarantee the day that you receive one of my planes you will find them irresisible, so difficult to put down.

I enlisted the services of a highly talented and experienced luthier (worked throughout Europe) to bench test the plane and he reported that the iron was as good as any he had used in this small scale (he owns Holtey planes) and loved the 'feel' and hand memory of the plane. So impressed with the micro-adjustability of the mouth. I have a pile of old 'Strad' magazines which help provide insight into the needs of the Luthier, listening to chamber music is a great interest of mine.

See The Strad Magazine, October 2007 issue Page 19.

	Flat Sole:	Curved Sole:
10mm	£166.24 + v.a.t	£192.85 + v.a.t
½ inch	£176.22 + v.a.t	£202.83 + v.a.t
5/8 inch	£186.20 + v.a.t	£212.81 + v.a.t

Be sure to state which curvature you require, either 5,7 or 10 inch dia or to your own specific size - I'll machine one specifically for you, be sure to let me know.

See my workshop blog on http://richardkell.livejournal.com/

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Luthiers High Carbon Irons widths 3/8; 1/2; 5/8 inch, all 1/16 or 3/32inch thick, metric available at 8; 10; 12mm by 1.5 or 2mm thick, be sure to state correct thickness and width; length is around about 2-1/8 inch (ie 54 mm long). I get good reports of the edge capability of my luthiers plane irons so therefore can offer irons for you to make your own as either replacements or to make your own luthiers planes from scratch. All are very carefully heat treated by me very much 'the old fashioned way' from toolmakers oil hardening gauge plate ie 'O1' . Price is the same for all sizes, its the care and attention going into the heat treatment that you are paying for. See my blog post re heat teatment. Price £20.00 ex vat. each Please email Richard to specify width/depth required.

e&oe copyright 2012© Richard Kell