Essential Safety Guide for Hand Tool Woodworking

Hand planes are significantly safer than power tools, but they demand respect. The iron is razor-sharp and capable of causing serious cuts. This guide covers critical safety practices every hand tool woodworker must know.

Tool Handling Safety

Always Retract the Iron When Not Planing

The most common hand plane injury is setting the plane down with the iron extended and absentmindedly running fingers across it. Make this an unbreakable habit: retract the iron before setting the plane down, or lay it on its side.

Proper Grip and Body Position

• Use the handles: Grip the tote and knob, not the plane body near the iron
• Plane away from your body: Push the plane away from yourself, never pull toward your body
• Keep hands behind the iron: Position your body so your hands travel behind the iron, not across its path
• Stable stance: Plant feet firmly with good balance before starting the cut

Secure Your Workpiece

Wood must be held firmly so it cannot move during planing. Use:

• Bench vise for edge work
• Bench dogs or holdfasts for face planing
• Shooting board for end grain

Never try to hold work with one hand while planing with the other. If the work slips, the plane can jump into your holding hand.

Shop Environment Safety

Proper Lighting

Good lighting isn't just for accuracy—it's a safety issue. You need to see grain direction clearly to avoid plane jumps and tearout that can cause loss of control.

Clear Work Surface

Keep your bench clear of clutter. Planes rolling off benches can fall on feet or cause you to grab for them reflexively (putting hands near blades).

Bench Height

Proper bench height (typically 33-36" for most people) reduces fatigue and improves control. Improper height leads to awkward body positions and loss of control.

Sharpening Safety

Stone and Iron Handling

• Sharpen away from your body
• Use a honing guide when learning—it keeps fingers away from the edge
• Never test sharpness by running your finger along the edge. Test on end grain or arm hair
• Clean up iron shavings immediately—they're sharp

Chemical Safety (Rust Removal)

When using rust removal chemicals:

• Wear gloves and eye protection
• Work in ventilated areas
• Follow manufacturer safety instructions
• Dispose of chemicals properly

Storage Safety

Safe Plane Storage

Store planes:

• In a rack or drawer, not balanced on their soles
• With irons retracted
• Separated so they don't knock into each other
• Away from edges where they might fall

Blade Storage

Store spare irons and chisels:

• In protective sheaths or blade guards
• Edge-down so you don't accidentally grab the sharp edge
• Separated from other tools

Grain Direction and Control

Reading Grain Prevents Accidents

Planing against the grain can cause the plane to dig in suddenly and jump. This loss of control is dangerous. Always read grain direction before making a cut.

Start with Light Cuts

Begin with whisper-thin shavings. Heavy cuts increase the chance of the plane jumping or catching, causing loss of control.

Physical Condition

Never Work Impaired

• Don't use hand tools while fatigued
• Never work under influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications that affect coordination
• Stop when tired—fatigue leads to careless mistakes
• Take breaks to maintain focus and control

Personal Protective Equipment

Eye Protection

Wear safety glasses when:

• Working with old, rusty planes (risk of loose parts flying off)
• Wire-wheeling rust
• Working overhead
• Tapping tools with a hammer

Dust Protection

Hand planing generates relatively little dust compared to power tools, but fine shavings can become airborne. Wear a dust mask when planing exotic woods or if you're sensitive to wood dust.

Hearing Protection

Generally not needed for hand tool work—one of the joys of hand planes is the quiet workshop.

First Aid Preparedness

Have Supplies Ready

Keep in your shop:

• Comprehensive first aid kit
• Phone accessible for emergency calls
• Knowledge of where nearest emergency room is located
• Pressure bandages for severe cuts

For Serious Cuts

1. Apply direct pressure immediately
2. Elevate the injury above heart level
3. Call for help if bleeding doesn't stop with pressure
4. Don't hesitate to seek emergency care

Teaching Others

If teaching children or beginners:

• Supervise closely at all times
• Start with dull practice tools before moving to sharp tools
• Demonstrate proper technique repeatedly
• Teach respect for sharp edges early
• Never leave sharp tools unattended when teaching