Hand planes are among the most useful tools in any woodworker’s kit. They let you flatten, smooth, thickness, and shape wood with precision and control that machines often can’t match.
Main Types of Hand Planes
| Plane Type | Primary Use | Typical Size | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bench Plane | General flattening & smoothing | 14–24″ long | Most versatile; comes in smooth, jack, fore, and jointer sizes |
| Block Plane | End grain, chamfers, small trimming | 5–7″ long | Low-angle blade, great for beginners |
| Jack Plane | Rough stock removal & initial flattening | 14–17″ long | “Jack of all trades” |
| Smoothing Plane | Final finish before sanding/finishing | 8–10″ long | Tight mouth, fine cuts |
| Jointer Plane | Straightening edges & faces | 22–28″ long | Longest sole for straight work |
| Shoulder Plane | Trimming tenons & rebates | 6–10″ long | Narrow body, blade spans full width |
| Router Plane | Leveling grooves & mortises | Small | Adjustable depth, great for dados |
| Scrub Plane | Heavy material removal on rough stock | 9–10″ long | Cambered iron for fast stock removal |
Essential Plane Tools for Most Woodworkers
Beginner Starter Set (highly recommended):
- One good block plane (low-angle preferred)
- One jack plane (No. 5) or smoothing plane (No. 4)
- One jointer plane (No. 7 or 8) — you can often buy this later
Specialty Planes Worth Considering Later:
- Shoulder plane
- Router plane
- Spokeshave (technically a plane cousin)
- Card scraper (not a plane but does similar work)
Key Features to Look For
- Blade (Iron) Quality: High-carbon steel or A2 steel. O1 is easier to sharpen; A2 holds an edge longer.
- Adjustable Mouth: Allows you to set a very fine opening for difficult woods.
- Frog Angle: 45° is standard; 50° or 55° (York pitch) helps with difficult grain.
- Sole Flatness: Critical. Many old planes need lapping.
- Weight & Feel: Heavier planes (Bailey-style) give momentum; lighter ones (like some Japanese planes) offer control.
Popular Modern Manufacturers
- Lie-Nielsen — Premium, made in USA, excellent out of the box
- Veritas (Lee Valley) — Innovative designs, great adjusters, Canadian
- Bench Dog, WoodRiver, Stanley Sweetheart — Good mid-range options
- Vintage Stanleys (pre-1960s) — Often restored and still excellent
Quick Tips for New Plane Users
- Start with a low-angle block plane — it’s the most forgiving.
- Learn to sharpen well. A sharp plane is 90% of success.
- Use camber (slight curve) on jack plane blades for rough work.
- Set the cap iron (chipbreaker) very close to the edge (1/32″ or less) for difficult woods.
- Wax the sole regularly with paraffin or paste wax.
Would you like recommendations for:
- A specific budget range?
- Planes for a particular type of work (furniture, hand-tool only, etc.)?
- How to restore an old plane?
- Sharpening setups?
- Or a cut list of planes to buy in order of usefulness?
Ask me or post in the Hand Tools forum.
