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Nice tool.

Great info!
In you close up photo of the wedge and iron, it looks like some "stuff" is behind the iron. Are those shims or just an illusion I am seeing?

The heat treat is interesting. So you take it up to full hardness then draw that back a bit with some after-heat?
Do you have a specific hardness that you target (Goldilocks zone)?
Obviously you know what you are doing so very impressive!

Very nicely done!

well done again rick. 

Thanks all!
SplinterGroup...I think you're seeing the dark brown door wedge I used to prop the plane up.
Tempering is done to back off the brittleness the steel sees after rehardening. It makes for achieving a keen edge... super sharp!
I shoot for a straw color that puts it between RC58 - RC61

Killer pic post Rick

like the write up as good as the plane.

Thanks GeorgeWest and 987Ron! Glad you like it. 

Very informative write up Rick!

Thanks Steve. 

Beautiful craftsmanship, this is a great looking plane.

Thx Oldtool.... the Spalted Maple makes it soooooo beautiful that it's inspiring just to pick it up and use it! 👍