A few things came to mind while reading other's posts:
>hands and uncomfortable grips<
not to contradict, what is true for you is true for you/no agrument, I had a different experience with the Veritas handles. Small hands here. I noticed how the Veritas handles seem straighter/less sculpted and curvy compared to the LNs. I felt a little jipped. Funny though they feel great to me and may even be more comfortable in use than the curvy stuff.
For instance the LN bevel up jack brused my palm for a long while after I began to use it weekly and even daily. The other LNs did not do this ( LN scrub, #4 bevel down and #7 bevel down ) . Now my hand has changed, got stronger or what ever, and it is no longer a problem. I couldn't even figure out how to address it as I am about to sugjest so I just put up with it and took breaks.
Some thoughts on plane handles : look for past articles on how to make your own handles. Fine Woodworking Mag and the British Mag Furniture and Cainetmaking both have some info on how to do that.
Don't be afraid to take a rasp to the handles you have. (if you can figure out where to change it) If nothing ellse it is an excellent reason to buy a Nicleson 50 or 55 rasp and you won't regret that. I hope to add a photo here of the handle on a bow saw I made from teak that demonstrates what I mean.
We will see if I am in good enough form to post another pic. Takes it out of me pic posting does. Always a different out come seems like. Big, way too small, just a blue link, and every once in a while BINGO I get a pic to just sit in the text and it is time for a beer and a message.
>#3 plane<
Yes I like those, in theory. Nice size. Gets me right there on the wrist though when I use one of the bloody things. See pic of my wrist bone. Bang !, Bang !, Bang ! Finally had to take the plane back to the store.
Woh ! Two for Two. Must have got the coffee to cookie ratio just right. Guess I will quit while I am ahead.