Walking into a tool shop or browsing vintage markets can make buying a hand plane intimidating. With numbers from No. 1 to No. 8, block planes, and shoulder planes, where do you start? Today, I break down the absolute essentials you need to buy first.
The No. 5 Jack Plane: The First Bench Tool
If you can only buy one plane, make it a No. 5 Jack Plane (approx. 14 inches long). It is long enough to flatten short boards, yet light enough to quickly remove bulk material or shoot edges. Equipped with a slightly curved blade (a cambered iron), it is the workhorse of the shop.
The Low-Angle Block Plane: Detailed Work and End Grain
A block plane fits in your hand and is designed for trimming end grain, breaking sharp corners, and fitting drawers. The low-angle version (blade bedded at 12 degrees, bevel-up) shears dense fibers easily, making it essential for detail work at the bench.
The No. 4 Smoothing Plane: Final Surface Prep
A smoothing plane (approx. 9 inches long) is designed to take the thinnest tissue-like shavings, leaving a surface that is smoother than any sandpaper can achieve. It is the final hand tool to touch the wood before finishing.
| Plane Type | Primary Task | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| No. 5 Jack Plane | Dimensioning, edge jointing | Must-Have #1 |
| Low-Angle Block Plane | End grain, breaking corners | Must-Have #2 |
| No. 4 Smoother | Surface smoothing, pre-finish | Highly Recommended #3 |
For details on how we test hand tools, see How We Test and Review Woodworking Tools at M3Tools. To learn about joinery fitting, read The Mortise and Tenon: Fitting the Joint by Hand.
To buy premium Lie-Nielsen hand planes, visit the official site at Lie-Nielsen Toolworks.
Have questions or feedback about this guide? Get in touch with our editorial team on our Contact Us page.
