On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 12:18:18 GMT, – Colonel –
wrote:

Years ago I remember reading about some manufacturer who was selling
laminated plane irons with (I think) a layer of very hard steel
sandwiched between two layers of tougher but softer steel.

A two-layer sandwich for planes and chisels. Three layer is for
symmetrical edges, like knives.

I use these a lot. All my Japanese irons are laminated, the Stanley
Sweetheart iron is one of my favourite old plane irons. Plane irons and
especially mortice chisels from Sheffeld are laminated too.

If I make a specialist wooden or infill plane, then I use a 50 year old
Marples or similar laminated iron in it (I can buy these NOS easily) If
I refurb a Stanley smoother, then I usually put a Samurai laminated iron
into it.

With modern steels, particularly A2, then you probably get a better iron
for almost all purposes. I can sharpen a laminated iron to a better
edge, but I know I can't keep it there as long. I also can't work A2 to
shape it how I want it (you can harden it easily, but it's not
annealable by mortal man). Where I have a modern vertas plane with an
A2 iron in it, then I'm really happy with it - but I can't use it for
specials and refurbs in the same way.