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Clifton Hand Plane Review (2024)

RobCosman.com

49,843 views

Rob Cosman reviews a Clifton 5-1/2 Hand Plane
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20 Comments

@ADR-x4d 2 years ago

It's interesting because in the UK the Clifton is £100 or so cheaper than the LN which rather tips the scales in the other direction. Of course importing the Clifton puts on extra that makes it the same as the LN.

@Rossco242424 2 years ago

Hey Rob, the way you nitpick hand planes always puts a smile on my face. 😁

@laurencelance586 1 year ago (edited)

If the Clifton is going to play in the Lie Nielson playpen, they are going to need to up thier game.

I'll be looking forward to leaning more about the planes you are developing.

@philipp594 3 months ago

In the EU this is ~420 USD a Lie Nielsen is like 650 USD

@HHH-nv9xb 8 months ago

I had Clifton #5 years ago but I flipped. Picked up for about $30 and sold it for around $200. My recollection was all the components had a tight fit. Maybe too tight of a fit as some components you have to really wiggle to get it fit. It is a solid heavy plane. The blade was sharp. I was able to take fine shaving in the "as found" condition.

@jeffvoght1632 2 years ago

Wow! I just started woodworking. If I knew 10% of what you know, I'd be happy. Great video. I subscribed.

@stanmoderate4460 2 years ago

Thanks for that, very honest opinion.

@spmcfa12 1 year ago

Another straight forward no nonsense review! Thank you!!

@maranoblet 2 years ago

I have the Clifton #5 1/2 and the #4 and love them both. In the UK the Lie Nielsen is £492 whereas the Clifton is £349, £143 cheaper. That can make up for the IMO very minor finishing issues and, for me, this makes the Clifton the best choice (plus I like to buy british). I guess due to import costs the prices are much closer over the pond and it becomes a tougher sell.

@jefflavenau 2 years ago

yessss I've been hoping for this!

@christusartworks 2 years ago

Eager to get the Cosman Plane. Great analysis for the plane.

@dragomirdichev1196 2 years ago

Can't wait to see the new Rob Cosman premium hand plane. I am sure it is going to be 5-1/2 size.

@doyalkrishna5656 2 years ago

Outstanding review and information Rob. I learned some key points about checking tolerances which I’m sure are crucial especially for eliminating plane tracks. None of the other legends that I’ve researched have shared this information. Gratefully appreciate this video

@jefflavenau 2 years ago

CAN'T WAIT for a Cosman Plane!!

@roybailey1134 2 years ago

I have all the original Clifton's and they are absolutely brilliant plane's, i have all the Stanley sweethearts and many types 11s and Sargent 's and all the Record SS plane's some Norris Preston's and Slater are Matheson Holland's of London and many many more, my Clifton's work beautifully.

@iamwhoiam4410 2 years ago

Thanks Rob for the honest review on the Clifton. We can always depend on you to get to the guts of a review,. I've got a friend that bought that same plane and was thumping his chest about how awesome it was. I asked him to bring it to my shop and let's have a chest thumping contest. It didn't take him long after he checked out my Lie Nielson 5 1/2 jack that I would win the chest thumping contest. I found the Clifton to be clunky and uncomfortable in my hand. He went home and ordered himself a Lie Nielson. He also tried out my Wood River No 7 and decided to order him one of those also. I have nothing what so ever against different brand hand planes. To me, it's all about how it fits my hand and how easy it is to maintain one and the job I need it to do on a board. Thanks again for your honest review.

@DustySplinters 1 year ago

Rob,
I suspect the wood furniture moisture content was higher originally and so possibly they dried out some causing tightness on the threaded rods.
Thoughts?

@rogerdudra178 2 years ago

Greetings from the BIG SKY. I have one in my wood shop.

@garynelles 2 years ago

Looks like the yellow cedar from Exotic Woods in Burlington Ontario!

@taylormedia1000 2 years ago

WOW ! I can wait until the "Rob Cosman" plane comes out. It would take someone, like yourself, with over 50 years of experience to pick out the details you itemized.