Changed my mind about using a chisel plane

I always thought chisel planes were a gimmick, but after struggling to clean up dovetails on a walnut cabinet last month, I borrowed one from a buddy. That thing made getting into tight corners effortless, and within 10 minutes I saw why guys who do fine furniture swear by them. Anybody else have a tool they wrote off then came around on?

2 comments

2 Comments

markl752d agoMost Upvoted

Dude I was the SAME way about chisel planes. Thought they were a solution looking for a problem. Then I had to clean up some half blind dovetails on a cherry box and my regular block plane kept riding up over the pins. Borrowed a Veritas from a customer and it was a COMPLETELY different world. That low angle and narrow sole just lets you get right in there without messing up the surrounding wood. Now I keep one in my apron pocket for every project.

emma_hart2d ago

Man I was the exact same way. Picked up a Narex cheap one on a whim and it's been a game changer for cleaning up dovetails. Never thought I'd actually use one every day.