Here are a couple of new hand planes custom made for the guys at Hinano. The rep for this Tahitian brand was in Harbour Surfboards one day and some how the conversation of bodysurfing came up. I was trying to tell him how much a difference having a flat surface area under your leading hand can create so much more glide and lift while you are bodysurfing. So I showed him my homemade hand plane that was constructed from left over plywood in the garage and a nylon strap cut from my surfboard tie downs. He was curious enough to give me the opportunity to make him a couple.
This time I tried to use proper materials. These are both shaped out of pine and sealed with polyester resin. It has a nylon strap fastened with a brass washer and screw. The brass is used to resist rusting and rotting over time. As you can see the bottom has a double concave that releases to a V at the tail with channels running next to the rails for the back 2/3 of the hand plane. My idea was to try and create a little lift and have the rail hold as much as possible for the steep sections of a wave. I also spooned out the deck to make a nice comfortable area for your arm to rest.
Hope the guys at Hinano enjoy these as much as I did making them and I am looking forward to hear some feedback on how they work...
