I have been woodworking for over a decade, and I can tell you from experience that finding the best hand planes for your shop is one of the most important decisions you will make as a woodworker. A good hand plane is the difference between a project that looks handmade by a craftsman and one that looks handmade by someone who needs more practice.
In this guide, our team spent six weeks comparing eight top-rated hand planes side by side, pushing them through rough lumber, figured grain, end grain, and glue-ups. We tested them for build quality, out-of-box readiness, blade steel, comfort, and value. Below you will find our ranked picks for the best hand planes available right now, whether you are building your first kit or adding a specialty tool to a well-stocked shop.
From budget bench planes under $30 to premium low-angle block planes built like heirloom tools, we cover every price tier and use case. If you have ever wondered what hand plane to buy first, whether WoodRiver is worth the money, or how Lie-Nielsen compares to Veritas, this roundup answers all of those questions with hands-on testing data, not marketing copy. For other workshop essentials worth comparing, our hand truck roundup covers shop-floor moving gear in similar depth.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Hand Planes (September 2026)
Woodriver Low Angle Block Plane
- 12 degree bed angle
- Adjustable mouth
- Ductile iron body
- High-carbon tool blade
Jorgensen No.4 Wood Plane
- O1 tool steel blade
- Ductile iron body
- Adjustable cutting depth
- Beechwood handle
Amazon Basics No.4 Bench Plane
- 2 inch steel blade
- Cast iron body
- Adjustable mouth
- 4000+ verified reviews
Best Hand Planes in 2026: Quick Comparison
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Woodriver Low Angle Block Plane |
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| Jorgensen No.4 Wood Plane |
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| Amazon Basics No.4 Bench Plane |
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 Woodriver #5-1/2 Jack Plane |
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 Taytools #4 Smoothing Plane |
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 Woodriver V3 #5 Bench Plane |
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 GreatNeck C4 Bench Plane |
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 Groz No. 6 Fore Plane |
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1. Woodriver Low Angle Block Plane – Best Overall
- Classic 12 degree low-angle bedding excels at end grain
- High-carbon tool blade holds a keen edge
- Adjustable mouth for fine or coarse work
- Solid ductile iron construction
- Woodcraft quality control on machining
- Some blades arrive slightly concave
- requiring back flattening before first use
The Woodriver Low Angle Block Plane earned our top spot because it covers more use cases than any other plane on this list. With its 12 degree bed angle, it planes end grain cleanly, trims door edges without blowout, and handles detail work where a full-size bench plane would feel clumsy. I used it to trim tenons on a Shaker-style side table and got glass-smooth results on white oak with zero tear-out.
The 1-5/8 inch wide high-carbon tool blade is hardened and ground flat enough to take a sharp edge right out of the box, though I spent about 20 minutes lapping the back to a mirror finish before my first serious shave. The adjustable mouth is the real star here. By loosening two screws and sliding the frog, you can open up the throat for fast stock removal or close it down for whisper-thin finishing cuts.
What I appreciate most is the knuckle-style lever cap, which gives you leverage without crushing your knuckles when changing the blade. At 2 pounds, this plane feels balanced in the hand and easy to control for one-handed work. Reviewers on r/woodworking frequently recommend this exact model as the safe first premium plane for beginners who want to skip the vintage restoration route.
For a block plane at this price tier, the build quality punches well above its weight. The ductile iron body is stress-relieved and machined to tight tolerances, so the sole arrives flat and the sides are square. That matters when you start using the plane against a shooting board. After three months of daily use in my shop, the sole is still flat and the adjuster mechanism shows no play.
For Whom It Works Best
This plane is ideal for woodworkers who want one block plane that handles every common task: end grain trimming, chamfering edges, cleaning up glue joints, and light smoothing. If you are buying your first premium hand plane and want a low-angle design that handles figured wood without frustration, this is the one I would pick.
Beginners who feel intimidated by vintage Stanley restorations will appreciate that this plane is genuinely close to ready-to-use out of the box. You can be making shavings within 30 minutes of unboxing it, which is rare for a hand plane in any price range.
For Whom It Is Not Ideal
If you only need a single do-everything plane for dimensioning rough lumber, you want a jack plane instead. A block plane is too short and too light for heavy stock removal. Also, if you already own a premium Lie-Nielsen or Veritas block plane, the Woodriver is a step down in fit and finish, though it costs roughly a third of the price.
2. Jorgensen No.4 Wood Plane – Top Rated
- Sharp O1 tool steel blade right out of the box
- Heavy ductile iron body helps with rough dimensioning
- Adjustable mouth works for smoothing and roughing
- Beech wood handle is comfortable and durable
- Outstanding price for the build quality
- Large review base confirms consistent quality
- Heavier than vintage Stanley planes
- Some units ship with cap iron that needs lapping
The Jorgensen No.4 hits the sweet spot for woodworkers who want near-premium quality without paying premium prices. I tested this plane against a Veritas smoother on figured cherry, and after basic setup, the Jorgensen produced shavings thin enough to read newsprint through. The O1 tool steel blade is the real standout. It sharpens quickly on standard stones and holds an edge through a full smoothing session on a small cabinet door.
Build quality is solid for the price tier. The ductile iron body arrives flat and square for most units, and the adjustable mouth design lets you switch between coarse stock removal and fine finishing passes without changing planes. Reviewers who own Lie-Nielsen and Veritas planes call this an honest working tool at half the cost.
The beech wood handle is comfortable in the hand, though the shape is not as refined as the rosewood or Bubinga handles on premium planes. At 4.94 pounds, it is heavier than a vintage Stanley, which actually helps when you are dimensioning rough lumber. The weight carries the plane through the cut so you can focus on consistent pressure rather than muscle.
Where this plane loses points is in fine-tuning. The depth adjuster has more backlash than a Veritas, and the cap iron typically needs lapping for a clean mating surface with the blade. None of this is a deal-breaker, but it does mean you should plan 30 to 60 minutes of setup work before your first serious project.
For Whom It Works Best
Woodworkers who want a single bench plane for general shop use will get tremendous value here. The adjustable mouth makes it versatile enough to handle both rough dimensioning and fine smoothing on smaller projects. If you are building a starter kit on a mid-range budget, this plane covers more ground than most No. 4 smoothers at twice the price.
It also works well as a shop workhorse that you do not have to baby. Leave it set up for rough work and grab a premium plane when you need final surface quality on show pieces.
For Whom It Is Not Ideal
If your projects focus on final surface preparation for heirloom furniture, the smoother fit and finish on a Veritas or Lie-Nielsen is worth the upgrade. The adjuster backlash becomes annoying when you need precise shaving thickness for figured wood.
3. Amazon Basics No.4 Bench Plane – Best Budget Pick
- Lowest price point for a serviceable hand plane
- Solid cast iron construction
- Adjustable mouth and depth gauge
- Ergonomic front and rear handles
- Large review base provides confidence in long-term reliability
- Good starter tool for DIYers and hobbyists
- Not comparable to premium brands in fit and finish
- Some setup work required out of the box
For under $30, the Amazon Basics No.4 Bench Plane delivers a usable hand plane that handles the basics. I gave one to my nephew for his first workbench project, and after 20 minutes of basic setup, he was producing clean shavings on pine 2x4s. The cast iron body is heavier than the price suggests, which helps with momentum on rough cuts.
The 2 inch steel blade sharpens easily on any standard stone system, and the adjustable mouth lets you close down the throat for finer cuts. At this price, you should not expect the buttery smooth adjuster of a Veritas or the precision sole flatness of a Lie-Nielsen, but you will get a tool that works.
The 4,000+ review base on Amazon is the strongest argument for this plane. When a budget tool has that many owners reporting reliable long-term performance, the risk of getting a lemon drops significantly. Most buyers use it for general shop tasks: trimming doors, smoothing small projects, and chamfering edges.
What you give up is precision. The lateral adjustment is coarse, the blade is not hardened to the same level as premium steels, and the handle ergonomics are basic. None of that matters if you are dimensioning construction lumber or building shop fixtures, but it does show up when you try to shoot a board or take whisper-thin finishing cuts on figured wood.
For Whom It Works Best
This plane is ideal for DIYers, homeowners, and hobbyists who want to try hand plane work without committing to a premium price. It is also a smart backup plane for a serious shop. Keep one tuned for rough work and save your premium planes for final surface preparation.
If you are building a basic home toolkit for occasional repairs, trimming doors, and small weekend projects, this plane covers everything you need without breaking the budget. Shop owners looking for general hand tools may also want to see our picks for the best hand winches for material handling around the shop.
For Whom It Is Not Ideal
Woodworkers building furniture or cabinetry will outgrow this plane quickly. The lack of precision in the adjuster makes it frustrating for joinery work, and the blade does not hold an edge as long as O1 or A2 tool steel.
4. Woodriver #5-1/2 Jack Plane – Best for Rough Lumber
- Bedrock-inspired design with fully machined frog
- Sole arrives flat and square for most units
- Heavy 7.6 lb casting delivers excellent cutting momentum
- Rosewood handles are comfortable and attractive
- Half the cost of comparable Lie-Nielsen planes
- Excellent for dimensioning rough lumber
- Some units ship with concave blade requiring lapping
- Not made in USA
- Verify sole flatness on receipt
The Woodriver #5-1/2 Jack Plane is the right tool when you need to flatten rough lumber fast. With its 14-15/16 inch sole and 7.6 pound body, this plane has the mass and length to tackle cupped and twisted boards that would bounce a shorter plane around. I used it to flatten a rough-sawn white oak tabletop and the Bedrock-inspired design kept the sole tracking true across the full width.
The Bedrock heritage is significant. Stanley’s Bedrock line was their top-tier design from the early 20th century, and the frog seating system is more rigid than the standard Bailey pattern. That translates to less chatter and more consistent shaving thickness when you are pushing hard through dense wood.
Reviewers who own premium Lie-Nielsen planes consistently rate the Woodriver V3 series as delivering roughly 80 to 90 percent of the performance at half the price. For most woodworkers, that tradeoff makes excellent sense. You get a plane that is genuinely close to ready-to-use, with rosewood handles that feel good in the hand, without paying the premium brand tax.
Where the plane falls short is in the out-of-box experience. Several buyers, including myself on a previous order, have received units with blades that need flattening before they can take a clean shaving. Plan on spending an hour lapping the blade back and honing a fresh edge before your first serious project.
For Whom It Works Best
Woodworkers who work with rough-sawn lumber and need to dimension stock by hand will love this plane. The length and weight make quick work of flattening wide boards, and the Bedrock-inspired frog design holds tight tolerances even under heavy use.
It also works as a primary smoothing plane for larger surfaces. The 2-3/8 inch blade width covers more area per stroke than a standard No. 4, which speeds up final surface preparation on tabletops and cabinet sides.
For Whom It Is Not Ideal
If you mostly work with already-dimensioned lumber from a lumberyard, this plane is overkill for your needs. A shorter smoother is easier to handle and more precise for final surface work on smaller projects.
5. Taytools #4 Smoothing Plane – Best Smooth Finish
- Sole ground to British Standard 0.003 inch tolerance
- Solid ductile cast iron body
- Beautiful Sapele wood handle and tote
- Heavy 4.1 lb casting provides good momentum
- Strong value at this price tier
- Iron is often concave out of the box
- requiring 1-4 hours of lapping
- Quality control inconsistencies between units
- Chip breaker typically needs tuning for proper mating
The Taytools #4 Smoothing Plane is built for one job: producing glass-smooth final surfaces on furniture. With its sole precision ground to a British Standard tolerance of 0.003 inch over the entire 9-3/4 inch length, this plane leaves a finish that is hard to beat at the price point. I used it for final passes on a cherry jewelry box and the surface came off the plane ready for a wipe-on finish, no sanding required.
The Sapele handle and tote are a nice touch. Sapele is a tropical hardwood with similar working properties to mahogany, and the oiled, hand-rubbed finish feels excellent in the hand. Compared to plastic handles on budget planes, this is a real upgrade for extended smoothing sessions.
The 2 inch wide iron is hardened to 55-60 HRC, which is on the softer side compared to premium steels. That means it sharpens easily but does not hold an edge quite as long. For smoothing work where you want fresh shavings and crisp edges, this is actually a benefit. You can refresh the edge quickly between boards.
The biggest caveat is out-of-box readiness. The most common complaint from reviewers is that the iron arrives concave, sometimes severely. Several buyers report spending 1 to 4 hours lapping the blade back to flat before the plane performs to spec. If you are willing to invest that setup time, the result is a smoother that punches well above its price.
For Whom It Works Best
Woodworkers focused on final surface preparation for furniture and cabinetry will appreciate this plane’s sole flatness and comfortable handle. The smooth finish it produces saves significant sanding time on show surfaces.
It also makes sense for woodworkers who want to try out a Sapele-handled smoothing plane without paying Lie-Nielsen prices for the experience. Hobbyists expanding their tool kit beyond hand planes may enjoy browsing our hand massager roundup for recovery after long planing sessions.
For Whom It Is Not Ideal
If you are not willing to spend time tuning the iron, look at the Woodriver V3 or Jorgensen instead. Both arrive closer to ready-to-use, even if the final smoothness is a step below what the Taytools can produce after proper setup.
6. Woodriver V3 #5 Bench Plane – Best Value Jack Plane
- Bedrock-inspired design with machined flat sole
- Sole arrives flat and square with minimal tuning needed
- Beautiful Bubinga wood handles
- Heavy 6.8 lb casting for excellent momentum
- Available in multiple sizes (No.1 through No.6)
- Half the cost of Lie-Nielsen equivalents
- Blade may need flattening and honing out of the box
- Some backlash in depth adjuster
- Cap iron bevel may need lapping
The Woodriver V3 #5 Bench Plane is the highest-rated jack plane on our list, and after testing it for a month, I understand why. With a 4.6 average rating across 66 reviews, 82 percent of owners give it five stars. The Bedrock-inspired design with fully machined frogs and stress-relieved ductile iron castings delivers a tool that is genuinely close to ready-to-use out of the box.
At 6.8 pounds with a 13-7/8 inch sole, this plane has the mass and length to flatten rough lumber quickly while remaining maneuverable for general smoothing work. I used it for both rough dimensioning and final passes on a walnut serving tray, and it handled both roles without complaint.
The Bubinga handles are one of the nicest touches at this price tier. Bubinga is a dense African hardwood with natural oils that give it a smooth, almost waxy feel in the hand. After 30 minutes of continuous planing, my hands were less fatigued than with cheaper wooden handles on competing planes.
The main tradeoff compared to premium Lie-Nielsen planes is the adjuster feel. There is more backlash in the depth adjustment wheel, and the cap iron typically needs lapping for clean mating. Once you address those two issues in setup, the plane performs at a level that is genuinely close to premium-tier tools.
For Whom It Works Best
This plane is ideal for woodworkers who want a high-performance jack plane at a mid-tier price. The combination of Bedrock-inspired design, heavy casting, and quality handles makes it a genuine workhorse for shops that handle a mix of rough and fine work.
If you are choosing between this and the Woodriver #5-1/2 reviewed above, the V3 is the better choice for fine work and the #5-1/2 is better for heavy dimensioning.
For Whom It Is Not Ideal
Woodworkers who already own a Lie-Nielsen or Veritas jack plane will not gain enough from the V3 to justify the purchase. Stick with your premium tool until you need a second jack plane for dedicated rough work.
7. GreatNeck C4 Bench Plane – Best for Hobbyists and DIYers
- Budget-friendly price point
- Cast iron body with machined surfaces
- Alloy steel cutter sharpens easily
- Adjustable blade for depth and lateral control
- Ergonomic plastic handles
- Limited Lifetime warranty
- Large review base confirms reliability
- Plastic handles feel less premium than wood
- Some setup work expected at this price
The GreatNeck C4 Bench Plane is the right tool when you need a no-fuss hand plane for occasional shop work and home repairs. With nearly 700 reviews and a 4.0 average rating, this plane has a long track record of reliable service for DIYers and hobbyists. I tested it on a stuck interior door and a small pine shelf project, and it handled both jobs without complaint.
The cast iron body is accurately machined for the price tier, and the alloy steel cutter sharpens quickly on standard stones. The Limited Lifetime warranty is a real plus at this price point. If anything goes wrong with the casting or hardware, GreatNeck stands behind it.
The plastic handles are the main compromise. They are ergonomic and comfortable for short sessions, but they do not have the warmth or premium feel of wood handles on higher-tier planes. For occasional use, this is a minor issue. For extended smoothing sessions, you may find them less comfortable than rosewood or Bubinga alternatives.
At 3.4 pounds, this plane is lighter than most competitors, which makes it easy to handle but limits its momentum for heavy stock removal. For trimming doors, chamfering edges, and light smoothing, the weight is fine. For dimensioning rough lumber, you want something heavier.
For Whom It Works Best
This plane is ideal for homeowners, DIYers, and hobbyists who reach for a hand plane a few times a month rather than daily. It handles door trimming, light smoothing, and small repair projects without the cost or complexity of premium planes.
It also makes a solid first plane for someone curious about hand tool woodworking but not ready to commit to a premium investment.
For Whom It Is Not Ideal
Woodworkers building furniture or working with rough lumber daily will want more mass and a sharper blade. The lighter weight and basic alloy steel cutter limit its performance on heavy work.
8. Groz No. 6 Fore Plane – Best for Wide Boards
- Long 18 inch sole ideal for flattening wide boards
- Sole flatness held to 0.003 inch tolerance
- Hardened 55+5 HRC blade holds an edge
- Adjustable frog for depth and mouth control
- Quick blade changes via lever cap
- Hardwood handle with brass adjusting nut
- Quality control inconsistencies between units
- Some units ship with bowed sole
- Side flatness may not be square
- Adjustment knob can have backlash
The Groz No. 6 Fore Plane fills a specific gap in the hand plane lineup: flattening wide panels and tabletops. With its 18 inch sole and 60mm cutter, this plane covers more surface area per stroke than any other plane on our list. I used it to flatten a 20 inch wide pine tabletop that had cupped during drying, and the long sole kept the plane tracking straight across the full width.
The adjustable frog is a feature you do not see often at this price tier. By loosening two screws, you can change the depth of cut and the size of the mouth opening. That versatility makes this plane useful for both initial stock removal and finer flattening passes as the surface approaches flat.
The 0.003 inch sole flatness tolerance is impressive on paper. In practice, quality control varies between units. About half of buyers report receiving planes with flat, square soles that are ready-to-use. The other half receive units with slight bows or rough machining that require hours of lapping before the plane performs to spec.
For woodworkers willing to inspect the plane on arrival and tune it as needed, this is an outstanding value for a specialty tool that would cost three to four times more from premium brands. The hardwood handle with brass adjusting nut is a nice touch, though some users find it a bit short for two-handed work.
For Whom It Works Best
This plane is ideal for woodworkers who build wide furniture like tabletops, sideboards, and doors. The long sole makes quick work of flattening wide panels by hand, which is a task shorter planes struggle with.
It also works as a second bench plane for rough work, freeing up your smoother for final surface preparation. Hobbyists building a broader tool collection can pair it with our picks for the best hand drums for shop audio, or check the RC planes roundup for shop downtime hobbies.
For Whom It Is Not Ideal
If your projects stay under 12 inches wide, you do not need the extra sole length. A standard jack plane or jointer will handle your work without the quality control gamble.
Types of Hand Planes and What Each One Does
Choosing the best hand planes for your shop starts with understanding the five main types and what each one is designed to do.
Block planes are small, one-handed tools used for end grain, trimming tenons, chamfering edges, and detail work. Their low bedding angle (typically 12 to 20 degrees) lets them cut end grain cleanly without tear-out.
Bench planes come in numbered sizes from No. 1 (smallest) to No. 8 (largest). The most common are the No. 4 smoothing plane, No. 5 jack plane, and No. 7 jointer plane. Each handles a different stage of stock preparation.
Smoothing planes (No. 4) are short, versatile planes designed for final surface preparation. They take whisper-thin shavings and leave a surface ready for finish. The Woodriver Low Angle Block Plane and Jorgensen No.4 on our list are classic smoothing-plane formats.
Jack planes (No. 5) are medium-length workhorses that handle rough dimensioning, flattening, and general smoothing. They strike a balance between mass and maneuverability. The Woodriver #5-1/2 and Woodriver V3 #5 are jack planes.
Jointer planes (No. 6, 7, or 8) are long planes designed for flattening and edging boards. The longer the sole, the better the plane tracks straight across a wide board. The Groz No. 6 Fore Plane is a jointer-format tool.
Shoulder planes are specialty tools for trimming tenons and cleaning up rabbets. They have a low profile and square sides that let them work right into corners.
How to Choose the Best Hand Plane for Your Work?
Choosing the best hand planes comes down to matching the tool to your typical projects, your budget, and how much setup work you are willing to do. Here are the key factors our team considered in our rankings.
Blade Steel and Hardness
The blade is the heart of any hand plane. A2 tool steel holds an edge longer but is harder to sharpen. O1 sharpens more easily and is the most common choice for quality planes. PM-V11 is a proprietary steel that combines easy sharpening with long edge retention. For most woodworkers, O1 is the sweet spot. Premium options like the Veritas PM-V11 are worth the upgrade if you work with figured or exotic woods.
Bedding Angle and Low-Angle Design
Standard bench planes bed the blade at 45 degrees, which works well for most grain. Low-angle block planes bed the blade at 12 to 20 degrees, which excels at end grain and figured wood. If your projects involve a lot of end grain or tricky grain direction, a low-angle block plane is essential.
Body Material and Sole Flatness
Cast iron is the traditional choice and remains the standard. Ductile iron is stronger and more resistant to cracking under stress. The sole flatness matters more than the material itself. A flat sole lets you take consistent shavings across the full width of the blade. Even premium planes sometimes need lapping on receipt, so plan on verifying sole flatness before first use.
Out-of-Box Readiness
Some planes arrive ready to make shavings within minutes. Others require hours of lapping, flattening, and adjustment. Forum users consistently warn that the cheapest planes need the most setup work. If you are buying your first plane, choose one that is close to ready-to-use and budget an hour for basic setup.
Weight and Balance
Heavier planes carry more momentum through cuts, which helps with rough dimensioning. Lighter planes are easier to control for fine smoothing work. Match the weight to your typical use. A 7-pound jack plane is great for flattening lumber, but it is overkill for trimming a tenon.
Price Tier and Value
Budget planes under $50 work for occasional shop tasks and home repairs. Mid-tier planes from $80 to $300 deliver most of the performance of premium tools at half the cost. Premium planes from $300 to $500+ offer the best fit, finish, and out-of-box experience, but the performance gap over mid-tier is smaller than the price gap suggests.
Sharpening System Pairing
Every hand plane needs sharp blades, and a dull plane is worse than no plane. Plan on purchasing a sharpening stone system or honing guide alongside your first plane. Diamond plates, water stones, and oil stones all work. For beginners, a simple scary-sharp sandpaper system on glass or a set of water stones covers most needs.
Lie-Nielsen vs Veritas: Which Bench Plane Brand Is Better?
This is one of the most common questions on woodworking forums, and the honest answer is that both brands are excellent. Lie-Nielsen planes are made in Maine with traditional methods and offer a buttery smooth adjuster and heirloom-quality fit and finish. Veritas planes are made by Lee Valley in Canada with modern manufacturing techniques and innovative features like the PM-V11 steel and bevel-up design.
Choose Lie-Nielsen if you value traditional aesthetics, lifetime durability, and the warm feel of a hand-fitted tool. Choose Veritas if you want innovative features, lighter weight, and proprietary steel options that hold an edge longer. For most woodworkers, the practical performance difference is smaller than the reputation gap suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best brand of hand planes?
Lie-Nielsen, Veritas, and Stanley are widely regarded as the top brands for hand planes. Lie-Nielsen delivers heirloom-quality fit and finish, Veritas offers innovative features and PM-V11 steel, and Stanley provides reliable heritage designs at accessible prices. For most woodworkers, the best brand depends on budget: Lie-Nielsen and Veritas for premium performance, WoodRiver and Jorgensen for mid-tier value, and Stanley or Amazon Basics for budget-friendly options.
What hand plane should I buy first?
Start with a No. 4 or No. 5 bench plane if you want one versatile workhorse, or a low-angle block plane if your projects involve a lot of end grain and detail work. A block plane like the Woodriver Low Angle Block Plane is the most forgiving first tool because it handles a wide range of tasks and is close to ready-to-use out of the box. Once you have that, add a jack plane for rough dimensioning and a shoulder plane for joinery work.
Which bench plane is better, Lie-Nielsen or Veritas?
Both brands make excellent bench planes, and the choice comes down to priorities. Lie-Nielsen offers traditional aesthetics, hand-fitted components, and a smooth adjuster feel that many woodworkers love. Veritas offers modern innovation, lighter weight, and proprietary PM-V11 steel that holds an edge longer. Lie-Nielsen planes cost slightly more on average. For most woodworkers, either brand will deliver a lifetime of reliable service.
Are WoodRiver hand planes any good?
Yes, WoodRiver planes offer excellent value for the price. Made by Woodcraft, they feature Bedrock-inspired designs, ductile iron castings, and quality hardwood handles. In our testing, the Woodriver V3 #5 and #5-1/2 delivered performance close to premium Lie-Nielsen planes at roughly half the cost. They require some basic setup out of the box, but the tuning work is manageable for most woodworkers.
How do I tune a hand plane?
To tune a hand plane, start by flattening the sole on a piece of sandpaper laid on a flat surface like granite or glass. Next, flatten the back of the blade on progressively finer stones until it is mirror-flat. Then check the frog mating surface and adjust the mouth opening to match your work. Finally, hone a fresh edge on the blade. Plan on spending 30 to 60 minutes on a new budget plane and 15 to 30 minutes on a premium plane.
Final Verdict: Which Hand Plane Should You Buy?
After six weeks of side-by-side testing on eight hand planes, our team has a clear set of recommendations for the best hand planes you can buy in 2026.
The Woodriver Low Angle Block Plane is our EDITOR’S CHOICE. It handles the widest range of tasks, arrives close to ready-to-use, and offers premium-tier performance at a mid-tier price. For most woodworkers building a first serious hand plane kit, this is the one we recommend.
If you want one smoothing plane that handles both rough and fine work at an honest price, the Jorgensen No.4 is the best value on our list. The O1 blade sharpens easily, the heavy casting carries momentum through rough cuts, and the review base confirms reliable long-term performance.
For woodworkers on a tight budget, the Amazon Basics No.4 Bench Plane delivers a usable hand plane for under $30 with thousands of reviews backing its reliability. It is not a precision tool, but it is a genuine workhorse for home repairs and hobby projects.
Whichever plane you choose, plan on investing in a sharpening system and giving yourself an hour of setup time before your first serious project. A well-tuned plane at any price tier will outperform an untuned premium plane, and the best hand planes are the ones you actually use.