Mastering the Hand Plane
From vintage Stanley restorations to precision Japanese kanna techniques, wplane is your complete authority on woodworking hand planes. Learn to tune, sharpen, and master every type of plane.
Essential Hand Plane Knowledge
Fundamentals
Start your journey with the core knowledge every woodworker needs about hand plane anatomy, setup, and safety.
Begin LearningPlane Types
Explore block planes, smoothing planes, jack planes, jointers, and specialized planes. Understand what each tool does best.
Explore TypesRestoration
Bring vintage tools back to life. Complete guides on rust removal, sole flattening, japanning, and tuning.
Start RestoringTechniques
Master the methods that separate good work from great. Learn grain reading, shooting boards, and end grain planing.
Learn TechniquesSharpening
Achieve razor-sharp edges with our comprehensive sharpening guide covering waterstones, diamond plates, and scary sharp methods.
Get SharpBuying Guides
Make informed decisions whether you're buying vintage Stanley planes or modern premium tools from Lie-Nielsen and Veritas.
Shop SmartPopular Hand Plane Guides
Stanley No. 4 vs No. 5
The eternal question: smoothing plane or jack plane? We break down the Stanley numbering system and help you choose the right plane for your work.
Read the comparisonComplete Sharpening Guide
Learn how to sharpen your plane iron to a mirror finish. Step-by-step instructions for every sharpening method from beginner to advanced.
Master sharpeningRust Removal Methods
Electrolysis, Evapo-Rust, or vinegar? Compare every rust removal technique with real results and choose the best method for your restoration.
Remove rustBest Beginner Planes
If you can only buy three planes, these are the ones. Our expert recommendations for building a versatile beginner hand plane collection.
Start your collectionWhy Trust wplane?
Every guide on wplane is built from real-world experience restoring and using hand planes daily. We test every technique, compare every method, and provide honest, detailed guidance that helps you succeed. No affiliate links, no sponsored content—just comprehensive hand plane knowledge.