If Fred is right about that being the model no. of your plane, you got the wrong one . . .

Mine is model 60-1/2, a 12-1/2 degree block plane for sure, and absolutely identical to the Stanley 60-1/2. I saw the Record 20 degree plane in catalogs and on the Web, but didn't know the model# til now . . . 8-) Did you keep the blister pack?

My older 20 degree block plane generally would tear wood in one direction, leaving scars almost too deep to sand out. The strips on the hull run every which way, so I couldn't use my 20 degree job without scarring strips. The new Record makes a glass surface in either direction. If you can't return yours, you might find that the adjustable throat solves that problem anyway.

As to spending more for a plane, I simply cannot imagine anything cutting significantly better than the Records. Other planes might LOOK a whole lot nicer, but I was impressed with the fit and function of this $39 block plane. Reminds me of when I ordered 3 East German Makarov pistols when the iron curtain dropped some years ago. They had been very expensive ($1200) in this country before the fall, but I got them for $139 each, new, unfired, 1962 manufacture. I was initially chided by my shootin' buddies for buying "cheap import crap" - - Until they saw them. They make a $500 SIG look rough. And are they nice to shoot! They are all gone these days, Russian and Chinese copies dominate the market - - good function but rough as cobs. No, I don't wish to sell one . . . ;-)

Best Regards, Spidey