Kunz #80 Cabinet Scraper Plane

After sharpening iron works very nicely

I have yet to use it. Appearance and feel are good.

After wasting almost 2 hours clearing the machining marks off the sole, rounding over the rough edges, and grinding a 45 degree bevel onto the blade, I assembled the scraper following Paul Sellers' instructions. I snugged up the front adjustment screw and went to tighten it a bit only to find out it "bottomed out" as soon as it contacted the blade. They tapped the hole for the adjustment screw maybe 2-3 mm too high, so the top of the screw hits the retaining bar on the front of the scraper. (See Picture.) I checked photos of this scraper on line and it does appear they normally tap that hole a bit lower.Bottom line: useless. It can't be adjusted with the thumb screw. This is the kind of quality one would expect from China, maybe 20+ years ago. Well, so much for German "craftsmanship".I'll return it. I originally wondered if I could, considering what I'd already done to it, but technically after all my work, I'm returning a better quality product than what I received. They'll probably just repackage it and sell it to someone else, but at least that buyer will save themselves the time/effort of getting this turkey into shape before realizing it won't work.Follow up: Based on a Matt Estlea video I order the same style card scraper from Melbourne Tool Co. WOW! What a difference in quality. I mean the packaging alone showed far more concern for quality than the Kunz model. I could write a paragraph on that alone. But the scraper itself was finished well, free of machine marks, with a 45 bevel already ground onto both blade edges and nice cork inserts in the handle to make he grip more comfortable. All that, for THE SAME PRICE as this Kunz. No contest. Not even close. But the Kunz vendor did refund my money, so I'll give them credit for that.

Works amazingly to produce a finish surface across grain changes and knots.Some reviews bemoan the fact that this does just come with a metal rectangle instead of a ready-to-use blade. If you're to the point where you would buy this and use it and somehow not at the point where you feel comfortable using a file and a burnisher, no, you probably shouldn't get this.I found the experience of learning how to put a proper edge on the blade immensely satisfying. You're going to have to eventually do that anyway, so why not just learn to do it?Finally, there's something nice and honest about a big metal tool from Germany in a plain box. If you don't like the sound of that, this is not the tool for you. (But get it anyway because you'll learn to love it.)

Nothing really disappointed me. I suppose I could do anything I needed to do with this tool. Keep it sharp and smooth though.

This this is way better than a card scraper alone, much more aggressive and better results with a smooth finish. My first use had a bit of a learning curve to it and I almost thought of returning it. But after about an hour of playing with it I learned how to use it, Youtube was helpful as well. This thing is great and I am glad I bought it. It will not replace a card scraper completely though because a card scraper still lets you get right up into the corners and edges. This will make scraping much faster though and effortless on your hands. I know bending the card with my thumbs was painful after a while. This is almost Identical to my friends old Stanley #80, even the casting marks. Only difference is that the card is a little thicker on this and the color.

This is a 4 star product for experienced woodworkers. However, if you don't have the experience and equipment for tuning and sharpening planes, this tool will probably just frustrate you. The plane arrived in a Kunz factory box - with not a scrap of literature inside. No instructions, no warranty info, nothing but the plane. The plane is a bit crude looking. The body casting has a tough looking coat of green paint and the sole has been ground flat, probably on a belt sander, but there are no obvious signs that anyone tried any cleanup or refinement after the casting emerged from the mold. The blade is an absolutely raw square of thin tool steel. You will have to do the finish work that you didn't pay the factory to do. That includes relieving the sharp edges of the sole, polishing the sole and grinding the two blade edges to an appropriate bevel. All of which will be much easier if you own a stationary belt sander and a bench grinder with a good tool rest.However, once it was tuned up, the plane performs beautifully. I ground a 45 degree blade edge, burnished a slight burr on it, and was immediately able to take translucently thin shavings off a hard maple bench top with no tearout, even against the grain. It is much easier to use than a handheld scraper. It looks like this will be one of my go-to tools for final surface prep, especially on difficult woods.

Works great! A lot easier to use then a card scraper. With proper set up it Leaves a smooth finish and doesn’t burn your fingers . For the price I am Very satisfied. Spent about 10 minutes flattening and smoothing the sole and throat. I got good results without having a 45 degree bevel. I just cleaned up the factory edge with a file and a burnisher. It’s almost identical to original Stanley #80