ONE HAND PLANE TO RULE THEM ALL!? WHAT DO YOU THINK?

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Have you considered buying one of these planes? If you did, would you keep your other low angle jacks and smoothing planes or would you sell them?

[@jefffink8405]

I would keep them because I'm a tool addict.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

@@jefffink8405 I’m with you. Besides I have 3 kids that will all need to inherit my riches when I die.

[@simonh73]

I have all 3 of them. The only other plane I own is a Veritas Shooting plane but it's nowhere near as sexy.

[@sebmstudio1697]

I definitely want to get some hand tools at one point. A nice set of chisels and a plane would be a nice start, but it's so confusing to know which one to get first!

[@scottmcwilliams9262]

I have them. kept all my other planes. I love the Bridge City tools......but kind of like drinking a 25 yo Macallan. My Veritas and Lie Nielsen are like the 18 yo. All are good, but some nights (woods) require a step up!

[@Rich32262]

Bridge City has an incredible sale now! the HP-12 was $1079. now $459. Several others are more than 50% off.

[@friedgizzard]

People laugh at the hp8 or think it is only good for chopsticks, but i keep that plane in my shop apron at all times. It is light, small, sharp as hell and is my most used apron plane.

[@robohippy]

Well, yes, it is a fine tool, but how do you like how it works? That is most important point. Just got mine, and am having some problems with it, which seem to be mostly design issues rather than my abilities. I will admit that I have spent far more time on my wood lathes than I have with hand planes. Problem one is that the blade does not seem to be able to be clamped down securely. I can't seem to get the blade to stay put during cuts. There is a very noticeable click sound when the blade first engages the wood, and another when it goes off of the end of the board. I can tighten up the hold down to the point where it is difficult to push down, and harder to lift back up again, and still get the same 'looseness' with the blade. I can get a nice shaving one pass, then nothing the next pass, then maybe a few whisps next pass, then nothing, then heavy, then it 'skips' taking heavy, light, nothing, in varying degrees and patterns during one pass. I did check under the blade with that set hole, and there does seem to be enough slop in that to account for that much blade movement. Is it just me? I don't have the same problems with my Lie Nielson planes....

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I have not experienced the issues you are describing. Have you tried reaching out to them? Maybe you need a replacement. If I was experiencing that personally.. I would get a replacement and if it still was an issue I’d return it. These are way too expensive to be a paper weight

[@robohippy]

@@WilliamDouglasCo Well, I found out what the problem was. I laid several strait edges lengthwise on the sole of the plane and across the the sole. The entire sole was concave. That kind of surprised me. I sent it back and asked them to replace it. They did send a shipping label. Makes me wonder if any one else had the same problem. I would expect that, rather than it being a one time thing. We will see what they have to say. The handle is a bit small for my hands, and apparently there is a new bigger handle in the works. I did find out that I have to keep my pinky finger outside the plane because if I use the full hand grip, my pinky brushes the square/advance/pull back knob.

[@robohippy]

Well, I just got the 'replacement' plane, and the sole is better than the last one, but still concave side to side and nose to tail. Same with almost all my other planes, some Lei Nielson, and a Stanley jointer plane. I am trying to figure out if this is a design feature, or just not good quality control. Only one that is dead flat is an old Stanley with the maroon paint on it, their cheap model. I spent a couple of hours with some 80 and 180 grit abrasives to flatten it out. Now, it seems to cut better than my other planes, though the sides are enough out of whack that I doubt I could use it for a shooting board plane. Any comments? Lots of experience with wood lathes, I own 5, but not much with the hand planes...

[@hammer300c3]

Take your damn like. As soon as you said "If I buy this set, I will be able to sell 5 to 6 tools and get one step closer getting the car in the garage." That joke hits close to home for me... haha.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Much appreciated! Thank you for making it that far in the vídeo! 😀

[@abingdonwoodworks9786]

I love the little version to precisely thickness pieces to small for the power machines. Superb fit, finish an attention to detail. Keep an eye out for the deep discount sales!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Yes the small one works surprisingly well

[@MrPauldmarine]

What sharpening setup is that

[@terrmaso]

I fell in love with Bridge City tools the first time I saw them. The workmanship is amazing and the aesthetic is.....well, lets just say everyone would be jealous. Thanks for the rundown, now I understand the price tag.

[@BlakePizzey]

The quality of video is 👌

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thanks! We try to aim higher than necessary although temptation does set in when we are days into an edit knowing that the biggest names out there just shoot from a phone camera. We are trying to keep production on another level

[@Bradkurily]

I’ll have to rehearse this pitch a little. Great work. Just found your channel definitely hooked.

[@fcschoenthal]

I bought one of the mini block planes a while ago when they were on sale for less than $100. I was amazed at the machining and finish. I use the depth skids, not for chopsticks, but for getting splines to the exact thickness easily. Sure wish I could afford more of the Bridge City tools, as they function as great as they look. - Chris

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Ah yes their fit and finish quality is pretty insane. They really made an impact on me as soon as I opened the box. Thank you for watching!

[@radiusnorth1675]

These are the planes to get if you like LOOKING at hand planes!!

[@epgui]

Personally, I've looked at them really carefully (they do look intriguing) but after carefully considering... I guess I'm just not convinced that they'd be any better than more traditional planes? I have a hard time imagining myself actually using the two smaller ones.

[@chm1701]

There’s no doubt these are of the highest quality, but for a little under £1600 for all of these planes in the UK ($2160), I think I’ll stick to my Lie-Nielsen planes. I can buy a no.4, a no.5 and a no.102 block plane for £845 all in ($1140) and be able to make things just as nice - perhaps with a few low cost jigs. The planes you’re showing do look very adjustable, but most people think Lie-Nielsen are a lot of money, but BCT are on a whole different plane of existence (no pun intended).

[@jbtallullah7009]

I've wanted one of these for a while. I always felt like there weren't enough videos from trusted influencers to get one, but if it's good enough William Douglas?... I guess I need to just tell my wife it's a good investment. Great vid.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thank you for watching! These really are very nice hand planes and very versatile. They are beautiful and the quality is pretty remarkable. I was a bit in awe when I saw the mirror polished backs on the irons. You won’t even get that from a lie Nielsen plane.

[@baraksinz]

@@WilliamDouglasCo You might get a polished blade from Lie Nielsen for the extra $150++ to match the Bridge City price. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 😁

[@MrKrikkefy]

Been watching you for 2 weeks now. The stroke of the moustache in the reflection of the plane blade convinced me that you are the real deal. Thanks for the content keep up the good work. P.S. randomly got hold of a festool domino just after watching your Three chair build series and cursing at y'all murican quick 'n easy joinery in stead of using old skool tenon and mortise..... anyway... gonna be using your tips for using the dang machine ;-) thx in advance. Grtz from Antwerp!

[@cgstealth]

I don’t even need one but I want them for wall art in my office they look to cool to use.

[@renelopez8227]

Do like I do. "Babe, it costs what it costs. Im an adult and I DO NOT need your permission FOR THIS OR ANYTHING ELSE".... also William, can I crash on your couch a couple of weeks?

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Spoken like a true man with no fear of death 💀

[@grantwilliams630]

The mini block plane seems like the most useful of the BC planes. It’s a good price (especially when it goes on sale). It would be a nice little pocket plane for more delicate work I’d normally reach for a chisel to use and the skids are kind of nice (or at least cool).

[@paulfriedman4767]

"One plane to rule them all" Are you saying that these planes were forged in the fires of Mount Doom by Sauron?

[@RatedRWoodturning]

I've always had a thing for bridge city tools but that price point is a killer. Maybe one day

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

It’s definitely priced high but they are lifetime tools. I always think of my kids inheriting them and then the money doesn’t seem so bad

[@RatedRWoodturning]

@@WilliamDouglasCo no doubt. Def awesome tools to get to work with. I'd like to have one of their try squares too

[@adamkirkland4348]

Who makes these?

[@justinkennedy6892]

Well… I can polish my full set of sweethearts, make spaghetti and still have time to trim the super annoying corners of my ‘stache by dusk. With the loot saved I can add that additional bay for her car and keep all my tools.

[@grantwilliams630]

I’ve been interesting in these planes, but they’ve always come across as gimmicky to me. The ability to flip the blade doesn’t seem worth it if I could just buy two full planes for the same price with different angles. Curious to see your thoughts though!

[@rodpotts2666]

Oh yes , that is one fine piece of engineering!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

They are so beautiful amd also functional. I love that they come flattened and polished to a mirror finish on the back. That saves soooo much time

[@baraksinz]

@@WilliamDouglasCo Genuine question: do you prefer to not use the Charlesworth ruler trick for the backs of plane irons? It saves a ton of time!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

@@baraksinz hook me up with some details!

[@Brangustx]

I like your style and your approach to woodworking, however for me, there's something very satisfying about spending hours restoring a 100 year old Stanley as a "worker" using an aftermarket plane iron from Hock and it performing just as well, or better than a Bridge City or a Lie-Nielson plane. It's really cool when someone comes over to the shop and I pull out a #4 and flip it over and you see a mirrored bottom. The reality, in the end, it's all about the cutter (iron): the polish, grind angle and to what grit. That BC plane WILL NOT replace my Stanley Bedrock 4 1/2.

[@Dresden76]

How do we sign up or find more info about Meet Your Maker? I'm in AZ and would love to attend!

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I send out news letters occasionally and I keep everyone updated on my IG page. It’s a free event! Just come by the shop Sunday January 9th

[@JayCWhiteCloud]

Couldn't find it in the comments...???...BUT...the real reason we (aka real Artisan Craftspeople) purchase (or make) good tools is they simply do better work and hold their value...OR...actually go up in value...!!! I now have been doing traditional work for over 40 years (on and off) and have tools that I have had for over 30 years that I can now sell for more than I paid for them...My Makita Chain Mortiser, for example, is over 28 years old, in great shape, and has been worked REAL HARD over those years. It cost me $850 in the late 80s. My last offer for it was...$1200!!! Another example...I purchase "low use" excellent handmade tools from Japan, Korea, China, India, etc... I will use these professionally and when I think they only have maybe a few years left in "professional service" I will either gift them to an apprentice or resell them to "hobbyist" and/or collectors for usually twice the amount I paid for them and start the process over again...!!! Note, professional woodworkers, if producing product and keep razor-sharp tools...WILL...!!!...wear out tools both hand and power-based or need them refurbished or reforged if they do not send them to someone that will only use them...part-time. Many (not all) tools have a limited life span when used professionally so must be "upgraded" and/or rebuilt to continue their life (if used professionally?) this includes shop tools which for me have usually been over 100 years on and in continuous service but all have been "refurbished!!!" I know for a fact that all of the Bridgecity Tools (I've owned them) will hold or go up in value...IF...taken care of!!! Simply put...IT'S MONEY IN THE BANK AND EARNING INTEREST AS WELL AS BEING OF GREAT SERVICE TO YOU IN YOUR CRAFT OF WOODWORKING...!!!

[@marcua2rpi]

Ever since they sold out and are now made in China the quality overall has gone down. It’s no longer the company it once was, which is sad. I have bought and returned a few of their recent items. Glad you liked them though.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I haven’t had any experience with them before they were manufactured overseas. Thinking of the fit and finish quality being better than it is.. that’s wild.

[@thewoodshop]

i'm just going to say William made me do it.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I take full responsibility

[@jefffink8405]

Get rid of 6 or 7 of my other handplanes yeah right

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Yes yes yes I know. But it sounds good

[@pemtax557]

Once again, you have made me laugh. This becoming a thing ... a laughing thing and not some other kind of thing ... but you do make me laugh and that's a good thing! Cheers

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Cheers Dave! 😂

[@TankGunner84]

Yeah because any woodworker ever is going to sell his old planes because he bought a new one lol. I think our wife’s know better at this point

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

You got me there 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@johnmoody2042]

Thin Shavings. That's it! "Hey Hunny, you know those Philly cheesteaks you have been wanting? With this tool I can shave the meat to the exact thickness that you want." Yeah, that's not going to work

[@hydrophobicgoldfish]

I didnt know Mario and Luigi had a younger brother, but DAMN thats a schweet tool

[@MintStiles]

I would normally tell my wife it's a good decoration. She hasn't said anything bad about my (very complete) set of veritas planes yet lol.

[@davidjanis1997]

Hey let us know when you become a dealer?

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Absolutely. Probably December/January

[@danbeeson9564]

Step one: convince your wife that garages are not for cars- that’s just an urban myth.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Cars belong outside 😄

[@jasonkraus4981]

It’s look how nice that old jeep truck is. I bet it is also parked outside dear.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

@@jasonkraus4981 I don’t think my Jeep has ever been parked in a garage in its life

[@roscoepatternworks3471]

Where's the bull nose plane, or the jointer plane or even the compass plane. And for $1000 I want the kitchen sink too. Don't need to convince my wife, you convinced me, I don't need it. Thanks.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Take it easy bud

[@roscoepatternworks3471]

@@WilliamDouglasCo I am taking easy, I just glad you pointed out the absurdity of spending $1000 for a hand plane. I have 6, everything from a bull nose to a 24" jointer. I bought them used and some are antiques. For all of them I paid less than $200. And they're all flat, straight and still has the old steel blades. Nice part i can buy blades at the wood workers stores. I can then grind to any shape I want. If I need a lot of material off I grind about a .010-.015" crown on my smoothing plane. Removes a lot of material very quickly. Then I can replace it with a sharp flat edge and do the finishing.

[@dano6201]

My wife has no clue how much money I have invested in tools because I’m self employed and buy my tools through my business ha so if I want it I buy it!

[@johnwescott9008]

I have a wooden smoothing plane with a steel mouth I purchased over 50 years ago probably cost £2 and I wouldn't swop my plane for yours.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Nor WOOD i haha see what I did there

[@moecopiak9168]

Life is difficult enough without adding those impossible decisions.

[@HWCism]

Sure, I will let you talk to her. I am afraid to. 🤪

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Give her my phone number and say a prayer

[@adamfikriduha]

8:09 the gucci bag?

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Gucci flip flops

[@metzessible1271]

They could have charged a whole lot more of they used that high quality German plastic Festool tools are made out of. Plus it would have been the ever aestheticly pale grey and Simpson-nuclear vomit green to prove its inherent value.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Hahaha

[@henrycollins2478]

If anyone wants to buy a random person on the internet a hand plane for Christmas, give me a call.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I hope you get your plane one day 😬

[@jasonkraus4981]

Commenting to simple comment.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Thank you for that comment 😀

[@toptechnology-diy5662]

nice hand plane but so expansive

[@rodrigoromero-by8os]

Is this video an advertisement or a review ?

[@Zamboni-0805]

I thought all you needed was a flat bottom, not necessarily polished. At least that's what I have heard from other well known woodworkers.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

That’s definitely true but if you are like me and like to get chisels and planes crazy sharp for than you’ll polish the back and polish the micro bevel. I do a lot of paring work in hardwoods for joinery and it makes the work easier and more controlled.

[@jeremiegascon7166]

well as a professional woodworker ... I am not convinced i need to spend that amount on a plane hehe i need to make money with my tools not spend too much money on them :) when i will retire i will buy all the nice fancy stuff hell im too poor to afford one of my creation

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I definitely feel you on that and that is completely understandable

[@andrewpinson1268]

If I am correct I just saw the HP-12 bench plane on Bridge City Tool Works for $469. Same one as here I think. I saw that Harvey Ind. bought out BCT works. Maybe they are ramping up production as well as dropping prices.

[@JoJo-edge]

I can hear her say “ hey honey, when your hungry and crave your favorite steak- go ahead in your shop and take bites from on your fancy tools” 🥺🤦🏻

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I like her style. A real hard ass 💪🏼

[@simonr6793]

I can see it now....Maker's Mobile you and Jason together in the same place.....well I just know that's one video I will be looking out for. It's going to be comedy gold that's for certain nomatter what you do!!! I'm guessing did any of the reasons why you needed these plains work when you tried telling your wife that you had to have them 🤔 😏!!! As always guy's 💯% 👍 🇬🇧.

[@nathanielsnyder1323]

Seems a bit gimmicky,as does a lot of BC tools. I’ll stick with LN

[@devemch7851]

First you failed to make shavings. How do we know it even works? Second, ever use a Stanley 46 or 55? You need an engineering degree just to set one up. Yah but they replace a bunch of planes. That is why you see them available with low usage. Thirdly what are you guys doing? Working wood or collecting stuff for the trinket shelf? I bought used planes and when I could not find the used plane I was after I got Lie Nielsen. I have an older BC hand drill and love it. But the new made in China BC turns me off. LN is made to an extreme level of accuracy and quality from locally sourced materials and labor. LN is doing things right. And their prices are more inline with a tool that a professional furniture maker can afford. Albeit painfully!

[@OzSafe1]

Hahaha good sell. Man makes emotional decisions and then uses logic to back him up.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Yes this tactic has been known to work

[@TorresWorkshop]

These are just not as good looking as a lie Nielsen smoothing plane. But never hurts for options to be there for everyone

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Depends on if you’re into the traditional aesthetic or if you prefer something more progressive. I have both. Love both of them. My experience with lie Nielsen though is that they are pretty pretentious. Sometimes success can make you forget to appreciate your customers. They have been the front runner for so long and are so back ordered they couldn’t care less about a sale. I appreciate every comment that is left and every shirt that is bought. I hope that appreciation never dulls

[@ericyocom7932]

If you’re really in a bind with your spouse, you can offer the packaging as a gift box. #winwin 😆

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Yes the packaging is fit for the finest of jewelry. Pretty wild

[@WestCoastMods]

Looks like you got these for free...good for you. But why didn't you buy these when you were just learning, as you are suggesting others to do? These high end tools should be bought once you know what you're doing and have built up some experience, maybe a lot of experience....and also have committed yourself to doing woodworking for the long haul...these are not for the beginner or average weekend warrior.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

I did pay for these, however I will become a dealer for them at some point. I made the video to showcase something that I think is really cool. Which is the same reason I want to be a reseller for them like I am for Tormek. Only the brands I believe in and think are remarkable in some way. I see where you are coming from with what you said but my first hand plane was a wood river because I didn’t know any better. Then I found lie Nielsen and quickly sold all of my wood river tools. Now these bridge city tools are a step even higher with a new refreshing aesthetic. Had I know when I got started, I would have probably bought these from the jump. Maybe one at a time though. They also hold a ton of their value so if I needed to sell them it wouldnt be a big deal. Long term though.. I’d like my kids to inherit my tools one day and I’m happy to k ow they won’t be getting buck bros or wood river

[@MrSeminole77]

BCT is china owned, china made. I literally had to return half the items I picked up due to quality issues. They used to be a great tool maker. Now they are just an overpriced China maker and should be left to die with the fact that they took a tier one brand into the dirt. If you didn't have to return your plane, you are lucky. For me: Two purchases, two disappointments- BCT now just Bridge China Tools.

[@jeremymcclanahan2389]

If you are trying to pitch this plane as a "money saver" .....you are a fool.

[@WilliamDouglasCo]

Mama didn’t raise no fool

[@jeremymcclanahan2389]

@@WilliamDouglasCo touche.....love it