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K4 and K6. #sauerk4 #sauerk6

K4 and K6. #sauerk4 #sauerk6

A recently completed K6 ready to go to its new home. Honduran rosewood infill with a bronze lever cap and screw. It has a matching K4 that I will post photos of later. #sauerk6

A recently completed K6 ready to go to its new home. Honduran rosewood infill with a bronze lever cap and screw. It has a matching K4 that I will post photos of later. #sauerk6

Preparing for a podcast in a couple hours. Get out the manual camera - prime lens. Turn off the shop lights. Slow down - think. Look. This exercise isn’t about the subject, although having a subject you are interested in helps. It isn’t about the particular camera - or even the images. Those are byproducts of the exercise. It is about slowing down, clearing my head and finding room for a conversation about design and creativity.

Preparing for a podcast in a couple hours. Get out the manual camera - prime lens. Turn off the shop lights. Slow down - think. Look. This exercise isn’t about the subject, although having a subject you are interested in helps. It isn’t about the particular camera - or even the images. Those are byproducts of the exercise. It is about slowing down, clearing my head and finding room for a conversation about design and creativity.

Just putting the finishing touches on this all bronze and African Blackwood K9. This was a special commission - the first collaborative plane project. From here it will go to the capable hands of Seth Gould @sethgould. I was really thrilled when we were asked about this project and can’t wait to see the next phase unfold. #sauerk9

Just putting the finishing touches on this all bronze and African Blackwood K9. This was a special commission - the first collaborative plane project. From here it will go to the capable hands of Seth Gould @sethgould. I was really thrilled when we were asked about this project and can’t wait to see the next phase unfold. #sauerk9

This felt like going back to my roots. In the early days of planemaking, 95% of all the planes I made had bronze sides - and African Blackwood was a very common infill choice. The XSNo.4 was the first plane that I redesigned. It wasn’t a radical departure by any means, but this size wasn��’t something I had ever seen before - 5-1/2” long with a 1-1/2” wide blade and a high (52-1/2 degree) bed angle. The rear infill was left tall- to fill out ones hand better. The goal was to make a true ‘small smoother’. I suspect I have made more XSNo.4’s than any other model.

This felt like going back to my roots. In the early days of planemaking, 95% of all the planes I made had bronze sides - and African Blackwood was a very common infill choice. The XSNo.4 was the first plane that I redesigned. It wasn’t a radical departure by any means, but this size wasn’t something I had ever seen before - 5-1/2” long with a 1-1/2” wide blade and a high (52-1/2 degree) bed angle. The rear infill was left tall- to fill out ones hand better. The goal was to make a true ‘small smoother’. I suspect I have made more XSNo.4’s than any other model.

SNo.4L infilled with dyed & stabilized box elder burl, bronze sides, lever cap & screw - looking pretty damn dreamy if I do say so myself. #sauersno4

SNo.4L infilled with dyed & stabilized box elder burl, bronze sides, lever cap & screw - looking pretty damn dreamy if I do say so myself. #sauersno4

Happy new year & happy birthday - Sauer & Steiner was registered as a business 25 years ago today. A little trippy to wrap my head around that - but filled with gratitude that I have been able to do this as long as I have. It has provided us with an incredible life - food on our table and countless friendships across the globe. It seemed fitting that I should start a new plane today - for a customer who I have come to appreciate deeply. Gently asking questions and pushing the buttons that always take me down a new fork in the road. This all bronze K9 is a perfect example - and another first for me. A collaboration with Seth @sethgould - who I have admired for years, and have had the pleasure of meeting a few times. Really excited about this one - and to see how our vision comes to life.

Happy new year & happy birthday - Sauer & Steiner was registered as a business 25 years ago today. A little trippy to wrap my head around that - but filled with gratitude that I have been able to do this as long as I have. It has provided us with an incredible life - food on our table and countless friendships across the globe. It seemed fitting that I should start a new plane today - for a customer who I have come to appreciate deeply. Gently asking questions and pushing the buttons that always take me down a new fork in the road. This all bronze K9 is a perfect example - and another first for me. A collaboration with Seth @sethgould - who I have admired for years, and have had the pleasure of meeting a few times. Really excited about this one - and to see how our vision comes to life.

The second Desert Ironwood K6 - with a stainless steel lever cap & screw. #sayerk6

The second Desert Ironwood K6 - with a stainless steel lever cap & screw. #sayerk6

The first of two Desert ironwood K6’s - this one with a bronze lever cap & screw. #sauerk6

The first of two Desert ironwood K6’s - this one with a bronze lever cap & screw. #sauerk6

Never say never. I had always envisioned the k-series with steel sides - not because I don’t like bronze, but because I could never find bronze in the round for cross pins. What I didn’t want is a series of dots (visible ends of the cross pins) screwing up the clean shape of the sides of the plane. After much searching, and some gentle pressure from a few key people, I managed to find another bronze I liked that was available in the correct thicknesses for sidewalls (and soles😉) as well as in the round for cross pins. Thankfully, the pins did what they should - completely disappear. Very pleased with how this K9 turned out. #sauerk9

Never say never. I had always envisioned the k-series with steel sides - not because I don’t like bronze, but because I could never find bronze in the round for cross pins. What I didn’t want is a series of dots (visible ends of the cross pins) screwing up the clean shape of the sides of the plane. After much searching, and some gentle pressure from a few key people, I managed to find another bronze I liked that was available in the correct thicknesses for sidewalls (and soles😉) as well as in the round for cross pins. Thankfully, the pins did what they should - completely disappear. Very pleased with how this K9 turned out. #sauerk9

Can’t. Ducking. Wait!

Can’t. Ducking. Wait!

My cousin Jake would be 50 today. I think about him throughout the year, but in the fall most intensely. Our birthdays were just a few weeks apart and all those childhood birthday parties formed some strong core memories. I have been thinking about this milestone birthday a lot for the last several weeks - and all that has happened between now and then. Time has healed a lot in all these years, but I am still sad that you aren’t here – and in a way, still somewhat shocked. I would love nothing more than to take you out for a birthday beer and sit and catch up – take the entire afternoon off. Remenise about our childhood for sure, but also what it was like to be adults - to be parents… something that was cut way too short for you. What would you be doing? Would you have moved to France like you always dreamed? I would expect there to be a 911 in the driveway. Would you still be working – likely retired already – and that birthday beer would require me to fly to some amazing place and meet you. What an adventure it would be. I won’t be hopping on a plane today, but I will put on a pair of your old shoes (which are still very cool), go for a drive and listen the Beatles then Nevermind – turned up to 11. Followed by a bike ride – although not nearly as fast as you typically rode. I miss you Jake – we all do.

My cousin Jake would be 50 today. I think about him throughout the year, but in the fall most intensely. Our birthdays were just a few weeks apart and all those childhood birthday parties formed some strong core memories. I have been thinking about this milestone birthday a lot for the last several weeks - and all that has happened between now and then. Time has healed a lot in all these years, but I am still sad that you aren’t here – and in a way, still somewhat shocked. I would love nothing more than to take you out for a birthday beer and sit and catch up – take the entire afternoon off. Remenise about our childhood for sure, but also what it was like to be adults - to be parents… something that was cut way too short for you. What would you be doing? Would you have moved to France like you always dreamed? I would expect there to be a 911 in the driveway. Would you still be working – likely retired already – and that birthday beer would require me to fly to some amazing place and meet you. What an adventure it would be. I won’t be hopping on a plane today, but I will put on a pair of your old shoes (which are still very cool), go for a drive and listen the Beatles then Nevermind – turned up to 11. Followed by a bike ride – although not nearly as fast as you typically rode. I miss you Jake – we all do.

A freshly polished K7 ready to go off into the world. #sauerk7

A freshly polished K7 ready to go off into the world. #sauerk7

Meet Barbie. When I tell people I was asked to make a Barbie inspired plane, the most common response is a scrunched up nose and a look across between annoyance and a full blown stink-eye. Then I show them these photos… and their eyes light up and they become quiet… followed by a very large smile and a happy f-bomb or two. This plane made me smile from the very beginning. Bright pink was a no brainer, but the sidewall and sole material took some time. We started with bronze, but it was a little too red, so naval brass became a consideration. More gold - more bling… more Barbie. Brass sole, cross pins, lever cap and screw were next. There were 2 possible infill sets - this curly maple and a box elder burl. Both would have made for a spectacular plane, but this fabric like curly maple seemed more ‘Barbie’ to both of us. I sent photos as Barbie came to life and the correspondence that developed was the icing on the pink cake so to speak. This was a most enjoyable build… and I am a little sad it is done, but knowing where it is going and the joy it has brought both of us will sustain for many years to come. Barbie joins a list of a couple other memorable planes - Vincent and Kermit… curiously, all with dyed and stabilized wood infills. #sauerxsno4

Meet Barbie. When I tell people I was asked to make a Barbie inspired plane, the most common response is a scrunched up nose and a look across between annoyance and a full blown stink-eye. Then I show them these photos… and their eyes light up and they become quiet… followed by a very large smile and a happy f-bomb or two. This plane made me smile from the very beginning. Bright pink was a no brainer, but the sidewall and sole material took some time. We started with bronze, but it was a little too red, so naval brass became a consideration. More gold - more bling… more Barbie. Brass sole, cross pins, lever cap and screw were next. There were 2 possible infill sets - this curly maple and a box elder burl. Both would have made for a spectacular plane, but this fabric like curly maple seemed more ‘Barbie’ to both of us. I sent photos as Barbie came to life and the correspondence that developed was the icing on the pink cake so to speak. This was a most enjoyable build… and I am a little sad it is done, but knowing where it is going and the joy it has brought both of us will sustain for many years to come. Barbie joins a list of a couple other memorable planes - Vincent and Kermit… curiously, all with dyed and stabilized wood infills. #sauerxsno4

The matching K13 to yesterday’s K18. #sauerk13

The matching K13 to yesterday’s K18. #sauerk13

The first of a matching pair of planes - this, the third last K18, and a matching K13 (will post those photos tomorrow). The infills for these were nested together - about as close a matching pair as I could get - very pleased with the way they turned out. #sauerk18

The first of a matching pair of planes - this, the third last K18, and a matching K13 (will post those photos tomorrow). The infills for these were nested together - about as close a matching pair as I could get - very pleased with the way they turned out. #sauerk18

A reproduction/interpretation of a rare handled badger plane from 2010. Not attributed to any known planemaker, but clearly made by someone incredibly skilled. I was asked to make a reproduction and stayed pretty faithful to it other than the front section - I decided to use a more traditional front bun - it seemed to be more balanced (visually) and much more ergonomic. The blade is skewed and rotated, and acts like a spill plane… except it can get right into a corner like a shoulder or rebate plane. I always thought there should be a left and right version of this. 📸 by @leevalleytools

A reproduction/interpretation of a rare handled badger plane from 2010. Not attributed to any known planemaker, but clearly made by someone incredibly skilled. I was asked to make a reproduction and stayed pretty faithful to it other than the front section - I decided to use a more traditional front bun - it seemed to be more balanced (visually) and much more ergonomic. The blade is skewed and rotated, and acts like a spill plane… except it can get right into a corner like a shoulder or rebate plane. I always thought there should be a left and right version of this. 📸 by @leevalleytools

XSNo.4 in Desert (Arizona) Ironwood & Bronze. #sauerxsno4

XSNo.4 in Desert (Arizona) Ironwood & Bronze. #sauerxsno4

When I was in design school, I had a classmate who was incredibly talented creatively, but found the technical aspects of handwork challenging (pre-computers). She asked the professor why we had to learn all these ‘stupid rules and technical skills’. The response has always stuck with me, ‘learn the rules so when you have an opportunity to break them, you can break them really well’.
My friend Eric @encurtis sent me a video message yesterday - about a spoon that is meaningful to him - it was just the thing I needed. Been having a bit of a rough time lately, and seeing his face and hearing his voice meant the world to me. It was a totally random act of connecting… and reminded me that I should re-examine one of my own rules, and break it as best I can. For anyone who has listened to the woodworking is bullshit podcast @woodworkingisbs, you will know my focus on Instagram is on the work and not the people who do the work. I express this focus by not following anyone who has more than 4 images of their face in the most recent 9 posts. I know - a bit strange, but this has proven to keep me focussed on the work. There are about 3 exceptions - Eric is one of them. So here goes - stepping outside my comfort zone and posting a personal photo. This was taken this past March by my friend Lauren @silhouettesbyhand at the lost trades fair in Australia @losttrades. I was wearing a t-shirt of the chalkboard sketch that would eventually turn into the K13 - the K13 prototype in my hand. It was an incredible trip - full of incredible people and connections… and seeing incredible work by other spiritually aligned artisans. Thanks for the photo Lauren - you captured the joy of the fair and all the friendships that have flourished because of it. It also reminded me of the incredible joy this unusual career path has granted me. If you have read this far - thank-you. Your homework for today is to randomly reach out someone in your life and let them know you are thinking of them - it may be just the thing they need.

When I was in design school, I had a classmate who was incredibly talented creatively, but found the technical aspects of handwork challenging (pre-computers). She asked the professor why we had to learn all these ‘stupid rules and technical skills’. The response has always stuck with me, ‘learn the rules so when you have an opportunity to break them, you can break them really well’.
My friend Eric @encurtis sent me a video message yesterday - about a spoon that is meaningful to him - it was just the thing I needed. Been having a bit of a rough time lately, and seeing his face and hearing his voice meant the world to me. It was a totally random act of connecting… and reminded me that I should re-examine one of my own rules, and break it as best I can. For anyone who has listened to the woodworking is bullshit podcast @woodworkingisbs, you will know my focus on Instagram is on the work and not the people who do the work. I express this focus by not following anyone who has more than 4 images of their face in the most recent 9 posts. I know - a bit strange, but this has proven to keep me focussed on the work. There are about 3 exceptions - Eric is one of them. So here goes - stepping outside my comfort zone and posting a personal photo. This was taken this past March by my friend Lauren @silhouettesbyhand at the lost trades fair in Australia @losttrades. I was wearing a t-shirt of the chalkboard sketch that would eventually turn into the K13 - the K13 prototype in my hand. It was an incredible trip - full of incredible people and connections… and seeing incredible work by other spiritually aligned artisans. Thanks for the photo Lauren - you captured the joy of the fair and all the friendships that have flourished because of it. It also reminded me of the incredible joy this unusual career path has granted me. If you have read this far - thank-you. Your homework for today is to randomly reach out someone in your life and let them know you are thinking of them - it may be just the thing they need.

Raw boxwood, 01 tool steel & stainless steel. #sauerxsno4

Raw boxwood, 01 tool steel & stainless steel. #sauerxsno4

A recent K13 with a hard to ignore front pad infill. #sauerk13

A recent K13 with a hard to ignore front pad infill. #sauerk13

Just finishing up a Honduran Rosewood K13 - the second plane in a matching set. It is a little more work to make matching sets, but well worth the extra effort when you have a chance to see them all lined up and can see the continuity from one plane to the next to the next. It certainly checks a few of the ‘design’ boxes I just can’t seem to ignore😉

Just finishing up a Honduran Rosewood K13 - the second plane in a matching set. It is a little more work to make matching sets, but well worth the extra effort when you have a chance to see them all lined up and can see the continuity from one plane to the next to the next. It certainly checks a few of the ‘design’ boxes I just can’t seem to ignore😉

A fun family reunion happened yesterday. A rather special K13 - the 3rd one I made, along with the recent K18 and a previous K9 were generously brought together again in the shop. The K13 was made for my late friend Fred - and was passed along to another mutual friend Rick. It was really great to see them all again - and see what has slowly evolved over the last 14 years. They are all infilled with desert ironwood. I included a photo of Fred’s K13 when it was new (the last photo) - to show how desert ironwood evolves/darkens over time. #sauerk13 #sauerk18 #sauerk9

A fun family reunion happened yesterday. A rather special K13 - the 3rd one I made, along with the recent K18 and a previous K9 were generously brought together again in the shop. The K13 was made for my late friend Fred - and was passed along to another mutual friend Rick. It was really great to see them all again - and see what has slowly evolved over the last 14 years. They are all infilled with desert ironwood. I included a photo of Fred’s K13 when it was new (the last photo) - to show how desert ironwood evolves/darkens over time. #sauerk13 #sauerk18 #sauerk9

The second of the two recent K6’s. #sauerk6

The second of the two recent K6’s. #sauerk6

The first of the finished K6’s ready to go off to its new home and workshop. #sauerk6

The first of the finished K6’s ready to go off to its new home and workshop. #sauerk6

A pair of K6’s all polished up and ready to go off to their new homes. #sauerk6

A pair of K6’s all polished up and ready to go off to their new homes. #sauerk6

The pair of recent K6’s pre French polish.

The pair of recent K6’s pre French polish.

A second K6 right behind the other one. I usually work in pairs like this. There is a little bit of efficiency making two of the same thing, while still avoiding feeling like production work. I tried making 5 planes at a time about 20 years ago - lasted 2 days and just about lost my mind🤣. Will stick with pairs:)

A second K6 right behind the other one. I usually work in pairs like this. There is a little bit of efficiency making two of the same thing, while still avoiding feeling like production work. I tried making 5 planes at a time about 20 years ago - lasted 2 days and just about lost my mind🤣. Will stick with pairs:)

Newly shaped K6 infills ready for a dozen coats of French polish

Newly shaped K6 infills ready for a dozen coats of French polish

The last batch of photos of the desert ironwood K18

The last batch of photos of the desert ironwood K18

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