I finally stopped fighting the grain on my old block plane

For years I'd push it like a stubborn mule on oak, getting tear-out every time. Last Tuesday I flipped the board and went with the grain instead, and it cut like butter in under a minute. Anyone have a trick for spotting grain direction on a tricky piece of ash?

4 comments

4 Comments

taylor_patel2mo ago

Saw my buddy lick his finger and touch the wood to feel the grain direction.

ryan7932mo ago

Licking wood sounds like a terrible way to find grain.

jessem592mo agoMost Upvoted

Reminds me of when @taylor_patel tried to taste-test stain colors, that was a bad day lol.

samrodriguez20d ago

My uncle once tasted driveway sealer to check if it was dry, worst mistake ever.