10 Best Hand Planes Of 2026
Hand Planes — Reviews, Recommendations & Updated Buying Guide October 2026
Amazon Basics No.4 Adjustable Bench Hand Plane
Why We Love It
JORGENSEN Adjustable Mini Wood Plane | Compact Hand Plane
Why We Love It
JORGENSEN No.4 10" Wood Planer
Why We Love It
JORGENSEN No. 60-1/2 6-1/4" Wood Planer
Why We Love It
Amazon Basics No.4 Adjustable Universal Smoothing Bench Hand
Why We Love It
JORGENSEN No.102 Wood Planer
Why We Love It
Groz No. 6 Fore Plane Hand Planer
Why We Love It
KAKURI Japanese Hand Plane 42mm for Woodworking
Why We Love It
STANLEY 6 in. SURFORM Pocket Plane
Why We Love It
JORGENSEN 45° Chamfer Plane with 4 Cutter Heads for Quick
Why We Love It
Quick Pick
10 Best Hand Planes Of 2026
Quick Pick
Amazon Basics No.4 Adjustable Bench Hand Plane, 2‑Inch (51 mm) Blade, Cast‑Iron Body, Adjustable Mouth & Depth Gauge, Smooth Planing for Woodwork & Carpentry – Grey/Black
JORGENSEN Adjustable Mini Wood Plane | Compact Hand Plane, Door Trimming, Wood Craft Smoothing Tool
JORGENSEN No.4 10" Wood Planer, Hand Planer for Woodworking, Professional Smoothing Plane for Trimming, Craft - Hand Plane with Ductile Iron Body, Adjustable Cutting Depth
JORGENSEN No. 60-1/2 6-1/4" Wood Planer, Hand Planer for Woodworking | Low Angle Block Plane, Small Hand Plane for Trimming, Wood Planing, Craft - Professional Ductile Iron Body, Adjustable Mouth
Amazon Basics No.4 Adjustable Universal Smoothing Bench Hand Plane – 2-Inch (50.8 mm) Blade and Wooden Handles for Precision Woodworking, Brown
JORGENSEN No.102 Wood Planer, Low Angle Block Plane for Woodworking | Small Hand Planer for Detail Trimming, Wood Planing, Craft - Professional Ductile Iron Body, Adjustable Cutting Depth
Groz No. 6 Fore Plane Hand Planer, 60mm Cutter 18" Length, Cast Iron Body with Adjustable Frog, Hardened Steel Blade, for Flattening Wide Boards and Panels (39703)
KAKURI Japanese Hand Plane 42mm for Woodworking, Kanna Small Block Plane Mini Hand Planer for Wood Chamfering and Smoothing, 5.9 x 2.1 x 1.6 inches, ECO Oak Body, Made in Japan
STANLEY 6 in. SURFORM Pocket Plane
JORGENSEN 45° Chamfer Plane with 4 Cutter Heads for Quick Wood Trimming | Clean Edge Flattening, Adjustable Cutting Depth, Smooth Chamfering, O1 Tool Steel, Integrated Storage
Buying Guide: Hand Planes
📋 Table of Contents
1What's the difference between a jack plane, jointer plane, and smoothing plane?
A jack plane (#5) is the workhorse for rough shaping and removing material quickly, a jointer plane (#7 or #8) flattens and straightens edges over long distances, and a smoothing plane (#4 or #4.5) gives the final fine finish. Most woodworkers start with a jack plane or a combination plane that does multiple jobs.
2Should I buy vintage cast iron planes or new ones?
Vintage planes often offer better quality metal and are cheaper than new premium brands, but they need cleaning, rust removal, and tuning before use. New planes are ready to work but quality varies by brand—spend more on established makers if you want less fiddling.
3What should I check before buying a hand plane?
Look for a flat sole (sight along the bottom in good light), check that the blade moves smoothly in the tote without wobbling, and confirm the chipbreaker is present and undamaged. A warped sole or loose parts will cause frustration and poor results.
4Is it worth buying an expensive premium brand hand plane?
Premium brands like Lie-Nielsen or Veritas arrive pre-tuned and hold sharpness longer, saving you setup time and frustration—good if you value convenience and precision. Budget-friendly vintage planes work just as well once tuned, so choose based on your patience for restoration and sharpening skills.
5What size hand plane do I actually need to start with?
A #5 jack plane and a #4 or #4.5 smoothing plane cover most tasks for a beginner and fit comfortably in most hand sizes and workshops. Add a longer jointer plane (#7) only if you regularly work with large boards or need perfectly straight edges.
How we choose
Our editors are people who genuinely love testing and writing about products. We compare each product's real-world usability and strengths, then distill what matters most into our own "Why We Love It" points — so you get an honest, at-a-glance sense of what counts before you buy.