In the spirit of discussion I have to respectfully disagree that low angle planes are better for end grain. I believe it's a myth perpetuated in order to sell more planes, Lee Valley's new line of low angle planes only reinforces my suspicions. Look at any collection of antique tools that belonged to a working cabinetmaker and the only low angle plane you're likely to see is a boxy, very heavy, low angle plane made for shooting, and I believe its mass has more to do with its performance that its low angle. My wooden planes shave endgrain just fine, my Japanese planes have no chipbreaker and are bedded at +/-45 degrees, my western (Krenov style) planes have chipbreakers and are bedded at 45 degrees, or as close as a chopsaw can get to that. The only metal plane I use regularly is a Lie-Nielsen low angle adjustable mouth block plane, with a 12 degree bed angle and 30 degree bevel it's almost the same as my bench planes. And to pass on an opinion that is not my own, Alan Peters uses a Stanley No 7 for everything, flattening, smoothing, shooting, endgrain, everything. And now I'm ready for my lashing.
Phillip