It was somewhere outside Barstow when "Walt Cheever"
wrote:

I strongly second the Veritas apron plane.

I wouldn't. For the extra money, their adjustable mouth version is
even better. The Lee Valley / Veritas low angle block plane is one of
the few hand tools I've bought new over the last few years and really
been happy with.

It comes from the store (almost)
ready to use

What needs doing to it ? One of the things I like about Veritas is
that they send them out ready-to-roll. Most makers don't. Steve
Knight is another one who sets them up properly before shipping.