Bench Plane
A flat-soled plane for squaring, flattening, and smoothing wood surfaces by hand.
What is it?
The bench plane is the woodworker prime movement: a flat sole with an adjustable blade that shaves wood to flatten, square, and smooth surfaces. Jack, jointer, and smoother planes are all bench planes of different lengths.
What is it used for?
- Flattening and squaring board faces
- Jointing edges for glue-ups
- Final smoothing before finishing
How to choose
Plane length sets its role: a long jointer straightens edges, a short smoother produces a final finish, and a jack does rough work. Choose by the surfaces you make.
Anatomy
Understanding the parts of a bench plane helps you use, maintain, and buy it with confidence.
- Sole: the flat machined bottom that rides the wood
- Blade (iron): the cutting edge that shaves wood
- Chip breaker: the piece that curls and clears the shaving
- Tote: the rear handle for pushing
Materials & construction
Plane bodies are traditionally cast from ductile iron for mass and rigidity; blades are high-carbon or A2 tool steel, heat-treated and hardened to hold a sharp bevel. Handles are often hardwood like beech or rosewood.
Safety & maintenance
- Keep the blade sharp — a dull blade forces you to push hard and risks injury
- Store the plane flat or on its side so the blade does not cut
- Retract the blade when not in use
- Use a plane stop or bench dog to secure the work, not your hands
Also known as
jack plane, smoothing plane