: Mike, that was a good article. Can you offer any advice on how to
: handle tearout when one comes to a patch of swirly grain that
: wants to tear from either direction? I usually reach for
: sandpaper on a stick at that point.

Cedar can have a lot of grain reversals, even if the stock is clear. Planing isn't usually the final step, sanding is. I usually plane from either side until I get to the point where the grain reverses, and then leave what I need to. You're going to sand it smooth when you're fairing anyway. If you want, if you're using hardwood, or if you're not building a kayak, the go-to is a really sharp card scraper with a good hook. There are other solutions, but probably not necessary in the days of good sanding equipment, especially on a wooden kayak.

m