AArDvarK wrote:
May I interupt? I seem to have taken up an interest in Anant planes from
India and I wonder about your opinion of them as paperweights... I mean
I know I can agree about China planes without touching one and I have
never shaven a stroke. Have you used the India made Anant planes?
Because I would really like to know about their quality, even if you
know of an online review I'd like read it. Highland Hardware sells them
and has a high opinion of them. http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/
http://www.anant-tools.com/index2.php

I can only give you my impressions, which is why I put in the
IMHO. I prefer to make my decisions based on my own experience,
whenever possible. Anants were cheap enough that I could talk
myself into buying them to try against my others without crying
too much if they turned out to be junk. I've owned and discarded
a #4, #5, #6 and #78. I found them to be better than the Chinese,
but to have poor fit and finish. Don't even talk to me about the
blades. I found the amount of fettling necessary to make them
square and flat to outrageous. Compared to a Veritas or LN they
were much cheaper, in every sense. Compared to an old Stanley
they cost about the same and are now where near the quality. Just
my opinion, but I bought them before I made it. I was thinking at
the time that a lot of medical instruments are made in Pakistan
and that Kukris are good knives, so that they might have a decent
metal industry in that part of the world. They may still have
one. I don't think that Anant shows it. I don't worry when I see
Pakistan on the side of a medical instrument at work, but I'll
never see Anant on my plane shelves again.

That may have come across a bit strong on rereading it, but
itreally pushed a button. I'm honestly not trying to pick a
fight, I just have a very low opinion of the planes.
Dave Leader
--
Dave Leader
reply-to doesn't work
use:
daveldr at att dot net
American Association of Woodturners
http://www.woodturner.org
Capital Area Woodturners
http://www.capwoodturners.org/