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Planer blades / knives

3K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  cathode 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Is there a profound difference in the quality of different planer blades? I have a Delta 22-540 12". I've been trying to find comparisons between Delta's stock, Powertec, and wood river. they're all similarly priced ($20-25)
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
I have the original knives that came with my Grizzly planer and a set of Frued knives I bought later. They both seem to have the same durability between sharpenings. About the only parameter I can think of that would be a consideration would be the type of steel used. It's going to take someone with some metallurgy knowledge (not me) to tell us what to look for.

Maybe look for knives made from some of the premium steels described here:

http://bestpocketknifetoday.com/discovering-the-best-knife-steel/
 
#3 ·
I think that there is a huge difference in the quality of the blades both in the steel used and the quality of the original sharpening.

I have a DW735 and a 15" Jet planer and now use blades from Infinity tools. They have worked extremely well for me. The majority of planing that I do is red oak and some other hardwoods. And yes, they are probably twice the price that you are suggesting.
 
#6 ·
I considered sharpening them myself, having been a sushi chef for 9 years so I have plenty of experience with the concepts, but I'm not sure about attempting to maintain the angle exactly, or buying a honing guide since the edge on a knife is personal - I do mine at 19 degrees, single bevel, but when it comes to something powered and machined, I wasn't sure how that might transfer, or 'wingin it' on something that probably needs exact specifications, angles, etc.
 
#12 ·
Like Stuart says above. How can you know what steel is used? The higher priced ones are more likely to use a higher grade of steel, but that is only a guess. Me, I just go with the best deal I can find online, remove the old ones and send them out to be sharpened and install the replacement. For us home woodworkers who are not in production I see this as being the best solution. I find the need for resharpening for my use to be very infrequent.
 
#13 · (Edited by Moderator)
I considered sharpening them myself, having been a sushi chef for 9 years so I have plenty of experience with the concepts, but I m not sure about attempting to maintain the angle exactly, or buying a honing guide since the edge on a knife is personal - I do mine at 19 degrees, single bevel, but when it comes to something powered and machined, I wasn t sure how that might transfer, or wingin it on something that probably needs exact specifications, angles, etc.

- willhime
Then you know and have the feel of the steel on the stone.
Think touch up, like you do with your sushi knives, don't wait for the knives to get completely dull.
I touch up the knives in my planer and jointer in place with a hard Arkansas stone often, if there are nicks, I use a diamond ezlap to knock those down then followed by the fine stone.
Doing this can greatly extend the life of the knives before a full machine re-grind is needed.
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#14 ·
I take my Rigid planer and jointer blades to Tubergen in Grand Rapids, Mi ( 616 534 0701 ) They ship all over, too.
They do an excellent job and have industrial quality band saw blades too!.

cheers, Jim
 
#15 ·
I have the original knives that came with my Grizzly planer and a set of Frued knives I bought later. They both seem to have the same durability between sharpenings. About the only parameter I can think of that would be a consideration would be the type of steel used. It s going to take someone with some metallurgy knowledge (not me) to tell us what to look for.

Maybe look for knives made from some of the premium steels described here:

https://theconsistent.com/best-pocket-knife/

- muleskinner
It is surely a great info.
 
#16 ·
I bought the last set of knives from my sharpening service.

Yeah, they were $140 a set (4×20") compared to around 90 for the cheapies.

But I just switched them after 6 or 8 months of use!! He told me the steel was better and I believe him.
 
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