I was once told by a cabinet-maker friend to buy a Record 311, and that I would never regret it. I bought one. He was right.
Sadly, they’re only available second-hand now, although Clifton make/made a copy. It’s so user-friendly and an absolute pleasure to use, because it gives you so much control – plus the other two options of a bull-nose shoulder plane or a chisel plane. However, it’s in its main use as a small shoulder plane that it excels.
There are others, I’m sure, but this little plane (my example of which had probably already done many years service) remains my firm favourite, and a tool I’ll never part with.
I don’t know which is best, but I’ve used a Clifton 3 in 1 for a long time, and I’ve been very happy with it. Many of my blade tools are Lee Valley/Veritas, and I have never been disappointed with their quality.
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I was once told by a cabinet-maker friend to buy a Record 311, and that I would never regret it. I bought one. He was right.
Sadly, they’re only available second-hand now, although Clifton make/made a copy. It’s so user-friendly and an absolute pleasure to use, because it gives you so much control – plus the other two options of a bull-nose shoulder plane or a chisel plane. However, it’s in its main use as a small shoulder plane that it excels.
There are others, I’m sure, but this little plane (my example of which had probably already done many years service) remains my firm favourite, and a tool I’ll never part with.
I don’t know which is best, but I’ve used a Clifton 3 in 1 for a long time, and I’ve been very happy with it. Many of my blade tools are Lee Valley/Veritas, and I have never been disappointed with their quality.