About wplane

Our Mission

Woodworking hand planes are precision instruments with centuries of refinement behind them. They deserve comprehensive, accurate, and practical documentation. Too much online content about hand planes is superficial, contradictory, or outright wrong.

We're fixing that.

wplane provides in-depth guides covering every aspect of hand plane selection, restoration, sharpening, and technique. Our content is based on real-world experience, extensive testing, and historical research. We don't guess—we test, measure, and verify.

What Makes wplane Different

No Affiliate Links or Sponsored Content

We don't earn commissions when you buy tools. This means our recommendations are honest—we tell you when vintage beats modern, when cheap is good enough, and when premium is worth it. Our only goal is helping you succeed.

Comprehensive, Not Clickbait

Every guide on wplane is substantial. We don't write 300-word fluff pieces optimized for ad impressions. Our articles range from 1,200 to 3,000+ words because that's what it takes to actually teach the subject properly.

Technical Accuracy

We measure cutting angles, test rust removal methods, and document restoration procedures step-by-step. When we say a technique works, it's because we've done it repeatedly with consistent results.

Beginner-Friendly Expert Content

Hand planes intimidate beginners because there's so much conflicting advice. We structure content to build understanding progressively—fundamentals first, then techniques, then advanced topics. A motivated beginner can start at zero and become competent by working through our guides sequentially.

Our Content Philosophy

Every article on wplane follows these principles:

• Start with "why": Understanding why something matters is more valuable than memorizing steps
• Define terms clearly: We never assume knowledge. Every technical term is explained when first introduced
• Provide context: Historical background and design rationale help you understand the tool
• Show alternatives: Multiple methods for most tasks, with honest pros and cons for each
• Link deeply: Articles connect to related topics so you can explore as deep as you need

Who Creates wplane Content

wplane content is created by experienced woodworkers who use hand planes daily. Our contributors have decades of combined experience in furniture making, instrument building, restoration, and tool collecting.

We test every technique before publishing. When we write about sharpening angles, we've sharpened at those angles and evaluated the results. When we compare vintage Stanley planes to modern Veritas tools, we own and use both.

This isn't theoretical knowledge—it's practical shop experience distilled into clear, actionable guidance.

Coverage Scope

wplane focuses exclusively on woodworking hand planes and directly related topics:

• All plane types: bench planes, block planes, specialty planes, Japanese kanna
• Complete restoration guides for vintage tools
• Sharpening techniques for all sharpening media
• Hand planing techniques from basic to advanced
• Buying guides for both vintage and modern planes
• Setup, tuning, and maintenance procedures
• Historical context and design evolution

We deliberately limit scope to do one thing extremely well rather than many things poorly.

Growth and Updates

wplane launched in 2026 with 30+ comprehensive articles covering the most essential hand plane topics. We continuously add new content, expand existing articles, and update information as we discover better techniques or new tools become available.

All articles include their last update date. If you notice outdated information, incomplete coverage, or errors, please contact us.

Technical Implementation

wplane is built as a static website using pure HTML, CSS, and minimal JavaScript. This architecture choice is deliberate:

• Speed: Static pages load instantly with zero server processing
• Reliability: No databases to crash, no frameworks to break
• Privacy: No tracking scripts, no cookies, no data collection
• Accessibility: Works perfectly on any device, any browser, any connection speed

We use system fonts (no external font loading), optimized images, and semantic HTML. The result is consistently fast page loads regardless of your location or device.

Contact and Community

We welcome questions, feedback, and corrections. For all inquiries, email us at: info@wplane.com

While wplane itself doesn't have forums or comments (we focus resources on content creation), we're active in various woodworking communities and happy to engage with readers.