The newest expansion to the Veritas Hand Plane line-up is now available!
With a sole measuring only 1 25/32" (45mm) wide and 5 13/16" (147mm) long, this diminutive plane is light enough to use one-handed, similar in use to a block plane, and more manageable and maneuverable than a full-size bench plane for small-scale work.
In true Veritas style however, rather than remake the original they've modified it to make it even more user friendly and versatile! The original #1 planes had a traditional high blade angle. The blade and frog combined to sit up and over the tote. While this was not a problem on larger hand planes, the small nature of this unit meant that was a very tight space. This design has been copied and remade by other manufacturers but unfortunately, this often relegated the plane to a cute collectible as it was not particularly comfortable to use. Veritas have solved this problem by creating a low angle, bevel-up style #1, with a rear tote that projects from the tail of the body. The result? Comfort in use! You hand is not squeezed or jammed into a tiny cavity beneath a blade and frog, but free to grip the handle comfortably providing excellent control. Of course, that wasn't the only redesign incorporated...
It shares the same features as the other planes in their bevel-up series, including a Norris-type adjuster for easy, accurate blade setting, and guide screws to center and fix the blade. By swapping in a blade honed with a different micro-bevel, you can easily alter the effective cutting angle of the plane too, should you wish. The adjustable mouth can be closed to a narrow slit for fine shavings with minimum tear-out, or opened for heavier cuts, with the toe position secured with a locking knob.
The plane body is fully stress-relieved ductile iron. It is accurately machined and ground so that the sole is flat and the sides are square to the sole. The wooden front knob and rear handle provide a comfortable grip. The blade is bedded at 15°, resulting in an effective cutting angle of 40° with the supplied 25° lapped blade.
So while still small by any measure, this hand plane is fully functional and designed to be used!
Supplied with a premium 1-7/32" (24mm) PM-V11 blade.
Made in Canada.