Tonight I was surfacing yellow pine. I started by sharpening my coarsest plane, the jack. Using the sharp plane reminded of the conventional wisdom, “a jack plane doesn’t have to be that sharp.” I disagree.
A dull jack plane will take shavings. It will take big, thick shavings. However, a sharp plane is much less work.
You can ride a bike with low tire pressure. The bike will roll. But it is so much work! Pump up the tires and you sail.
Next time you are doing stock preparation, take a few minutes and sharpen your jack plane. Make it cut paper. Is the plane easier to use?
Do not fear sharpening. Hand tools work better sharp.
