One fine day last year I was surfing around the net and came across the James Krenov Direct website. I had stumbled over it before and once again was admiring the pics of his work there. To my surprise I read that James no longer was building his cabinets due to his poor eye sight but was still making his wooden bodied hand planes. There was some contact information on the web site for anyone interested in purchasing one. I immediately wrote a quick note expressing my interest in a plane and also my sympathies to hear about his failing eyesight. I left it at that and within a few days I heard back from Mr. Krenov himself. He said he had "the plane for me! " I think another two to three weeks passed and then a shoe box came in the mail. My new James Krenov smoothing plane. I was like a kid at Christmas time. I couldnt wait to get it out and into a nice piece of hardwood. When I opened the box and placed the plane in my hand it was a perfect match. It was not the first wooden plane Ive held or used, but it was by far the most comfortable. It just feels right in your hand. My wife commented on the look of the tool and mentioned that it was easy to tell Mr. Krenovs eye sight was failing.! So yeah, perhaps to the untrained eye it may look a little rough but thats part of the charm. Its all about the feel right.?Well looks aside, when I finally put it to work it didnt disappoint. It surpassed all expectations and became my main smoothing plane. Funny, when things are not going great and youre kind of fighting with a certain piece of wood...perhaps some reversing grain and youre looking over at the wood stove and looking back at the wood your fighting to control tear out with...this tool wins every time. Ive since made a Krenov style plane and have studied the one I ordered....no chance....not even close...I dont know why the Krenov works so well? I cant tell what is done to make it perfectly chatter free..I cant replicate the throat opening or the irregular shape of the body...only one mans hands can and Id be interested to see if he has made any two alike.I guess its just one of lifes sweet mysteries...he is indeed a master craftsman we can all learn and draw inspiration from.
If youd like to see an interview with James Krenov discussing his plane making go to:
www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignArticle.aspx?id=30181
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