: I must say though, I've used really well tuned Record and recent Stanley
: planes against my Lie-Nielsen and Clifton planes (all well tuned and
: sharpened)and there is a world of difference. The better tools just worked
: better.

I've had the same experience with Record and Stanley planes. You spend hours tuning them and you're still left with a tool that won't hold an edge for long. You can install a better blade, but by that time you're pretty close to the cost of a Veritas plane.

I'm in the process of resurecting an old Stanley Bailey #4 that I bought in a pawn shop for 8 bucks. For the cost of a blade and some elbow grease, I'll have a nice tool.