I just wanted to put in a good word for my tiny $2.99 block plane that I picked up at Menards when I started to build my strip kayak. A tool that cheap probably shouldn't even be mentioned here but I have found it to be one of my favorites. It works well for the intricate shaping of small pieces and the ends of strips to be tapered for a fit between two strips, and to put that extra slight angle on a small strip edge angle that the jack plane didn't quite do. I have not used a 12 1/2 degree block plane and I am sure sure I would be thrilled with one. I have a block plane that is lost and I thought it would show up by now but it hasn't. I probably had it setting on the trunk of my car and drove off with it as I have with other tools, so I use my jack plane and my little $2.99er.

John