Plane and chisel steel choices

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Windthot

Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
5
Hello,

I was not sure where to post this as I do not see a wood working area. If there is a better spot would someone please let me know.

So here is the queston. I am considering plane iron for a high end plane from Veritas. They have plane iron choices as follows. A-2 and O-1 for $35. Also there is a steel that I have never heard of PM-V11 for $43. I'm not woried about the nine bucks at all. What I'm concerned about is my ability to achieve a flat back, bevel and micro bevel. Seems as though I had an old Buck folder in A-2 and it was super hard to sharpen. I want a nice compromise between tough and ability to maintain a 8000 micro touch up on wet ceramic stone. any thoughts on which steel to go with? I know I'm asking for the Holy Grail but thats what this forum is all about right? [emoji6]

Jim L.
 
I really like the PM-V11 blades from Veritas. I also like the A-2 better than the O-1. I work a lot with spokeshaves.
 
Veritas plane blades shouldn't need the back flattening. I've got half a dozen and they're fine (unlike my Hocks).

Steel hardness/abrasion resistance progresses from 01 to A2 to V11. You will need ceramic whetstones or diamond stones to sharpen the V11. It won't take quite as nice an edge as the others but it will hold it for longer, and it will take more effort to sharpen. If you're an average woodworker A2 should work fine for you. If you have a bent for hardwoods or timbers with a high silica content then V11 may be worth it.

Let us know how you go.
 
Ziggy99 said:
Veritas plane blades shouldn't need the back flattening. I've got half a dozen and they're fine (unlike my Hocks).

Steel hardness/abrasion resistance progresses from 01 to A2 to V11. You will need ceramic whetstones or diamond stones to sharpen the V11. It won't take quite as nice an edge as the others but it will hold it for longer, and it will take more effort to sharpen. If you're an average woodworker A2 should work fine for you. If you have a bent for hardwoods or timbers with a high silica content then V11 may be worth it.

Let us know how you go.
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I disagree. I have a couple PM11 irons. They sharpen in a very comparable manner to A2 - on my waterstones. They take maybe 20% more passess, but last twice as long. They will come perfectly flat and decently sharp. I can't compare to O1, since I've never used it. A2 is a step up from most of my old stanley irons (which sharpen and dull quicker), and PM11 is a step up from A2. PM11 is also a big step up in chip resistance - I don't hesitate at knots with my pm11 irons.
 
I agree with everything EdmontonAxe said. I use a LOT of older Stanley irons that everyday I wish were A2 or better yet PM11
 
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