OT? No - TECH actually seems right. ? Plane blades =A0 =A0=A0http://www.fine-tools.com/hobels.htm People who enjoy working wood will enjoy the sheer artistry of these hunks of steel. At 35 to 45 Euro each, you'd hope so :-). Jinx will be reaching for his wallet =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0http://www.hocktools.com/ _________________ Related: _______ Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_(tool) __________ Blades for Stanley Bench Planes Laminated steel using forge welding is a 1000-year-old process that was developed in ancient China as a means to improve the performance of swords. We have adapted 1000-year old manufacturing processes to suit Western woodworking planes. Finally the Western woodworker has access to the almost mystical quality of Eastern woodworking tools. Forge welding is a difficult process and requires tens of years of arduous training. The process is completely manual and cannot be automated. Master craftsmen repeatedly heat, fold and hammer blocks of steel and iron until quality and appearance are just right. A forge welding and hand hammering combines functionality and beauty into a product that is unsurpassed even by today's high-tech steels. http://www.galoot-tools.com/life/blades.html _____________ Plane blade sharpening: http://www3.telus.net/BrentBeach/Sharpen/index.html ________ Testing: Where Am I? You are in the=A0blade testing=A0section of my pages on hand tool sharpening. If you want to compare various brands of plane blades, both original equipment and replacement blades, you are in the right place. Other topics covered in these pages includethe whole sharpening process,=A0honing,=A0grinding, and the=A0FAQ. ______ Just plain Plane Blades --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .