Hock irons have long been prized for their excellent hardness, rigidity and edge retention. They're made from ultra fine-grained high carbon tool steel, which takes a sharper edge than alloys like chrome-vanadium steel or HSS. We have two complete lines of Hock irons, including blades for spokeshaves and #80 handled scrapers.

High Carbon irons are fully hardened and tempered to Rc62 on the Rockwell scale, much harder than ordinary tools but not in the least brittle or delicate. For the ultimate in durability, Hock's Cryogenically Treated A-2 Tool Steel irons are significantly tougher and more wear resistant than even their own high carbon blades. "Cryo" irons, conditioned at -320°F, will hold an edge longer than you've ever experienced. They're a little harder to sharpen, of course, but the results are simply amazing.

Note that the #80 scraper blade is tempered to Rc56 to be sure its burr is not brittle. Marking knives are beveled on one side only, spear pointed for either right- or left-hand use. The burnisher rod is hardened to Rc64 for very smooth burnishing and shaping.

Block plane irons are identified by the width of the iron and the width of its lateral adjustment slot - please measure your original carefully to be sure you order an iron that will work in your plane.

Below is a video of Ron Hock explaining the benefits of his blades and showing how to set up hand planes. (Video is 8-1/2 minutes - it will take a long time to load on a slow connection.)