Hey everyone! I'm looking to dive into the world of hand planes and would love some advice. What would be a good 'general' purpose set of hand planes for a beginner like me? Are there specific brands that really stand out? I see a lot of price differences, like between a Woodriver Jack Plane #5 at $263, a Taytools for $119, and a Jorgensen at $74. Can anyone explain the price differences? I don't have space for a jointer and I've got a bunch of wood (like maple, oak, and walnut) that I've just milled and am waiting for it to dry. I'd like to develop my skills while it dries so I can create some awesome projects later on. Thanks a lot!
1 Answer
If you're starting out, I highly recommend vintage Stanley planes; they're generally considered better than most new options. If you’re leaning towards new, Veritas and Lie Nielsen are great brands, but they can be pricey. Ideally, you’ll want more than one plane to begin with—a block plane, a #3 or #4 smoother, a #5 jack, and a larger #7 or #8 jointer is a solid setup.
But how do you know what to look for in a good plane? I feel like most resources just throw videos at you without actually telling you what to check when buying. Plus, you'll need a sharpening method too, which can add extra costs.