Popular Post collinb Posted November 21, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 Had some time tonight so In thought I would tune up both and do the comparison. The bottom line is that my preference depends upon how it is used. The tests: I used both to joint an edge and to smooth a piece. The Stanley has a smaller knob that is easy we to grip. The tote is slightly closer to the center so it is easier to push. But when I stand to the side I find the Sargent easier to swipe across. When it comes to user preference that would depend on one's personal dexterity. I like the Stanley for most uses and that's enough. But I can see a person with larger hands preferring the Sargent. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 Thanks Collin for the taste test. @Spanky is gonna wanna steal your hat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collinb Posted November 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 8 hours ago, K Cooper said: @Spanky is gonna wanna steal your hat! I get that a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 21, 2018 Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 Aside from the small design differences you mentioned, what would you say about the build quality? Pretty close? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collinb Posted November 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 21, 2018 2 hours ago, wtnhighlander said: Aside from the small design differences you mentioned, what would you say about the build quality? Pretty close? Really no difference in build quality. The knob & tote are both solid. The cast iron weighs about the same. The lever cap holds everything down firmly. Both appear to still have their original blades. They sharpened up well enough. The cap iron on the Bailey may be a little heftier/stiffer. But overall they're a very similar design and composition. From what I can gather the Sargent is from the 40s and the Bailey is from the early 20th c., about 25 years apart. ** Again, as a hand plane novice this is part of my learning experience. I like to try things out for myself. "Buy once" works on may things but when it comes to an item where "feel" is part of function there are times when experimentation is necessary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chip Sawdust Posted December 4, 2018 Report Share Posted December 4, 2018 I have no Bailey planes but I do have an old Sargent fore plane similar to the one you show there. Since I'm 6'5" tall my larger hands like it a lot. But I have a few cheapie planes (Kobalt) I've struggled with and a couple L-N planes I love so yeah, the spectrum is very wide! I have a tiny Stanley plane and a Stanley spoke shave, nothing remarkable about either of them; they seem to do the trick. Sharpening and adjustment is 75% of a hand plane's utility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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