Best Hand Planes for Beginners: A Buyer's Guide

May 20, 2026

Best hand Planes for Beginners a woodworking hand plane on a work bench with wood shavings

Hand planes are one of the most satisfying tools in any woodworker's kit — but with so many types available, knowing where to start can be daunting.

This guide breaks down the most useful planes for beginners and what each one is best for. For a deeper look at all the plane types available, see our guide to Hand Planes Explained: Which Plane Do You Need and When?

Why Use Hand Planes?

Power tools are fast, but hand planes give you control. They're ideal for flattening boards, smoothing surfaces, trimming joints, and fitting doors and drawers. A well-tuned plane leaves a surface that no sandpaper can match.

The Best Hand Planes to Start With

1. No. 4 Smoothing Plane — The Essential First Plane

If you only buy one plane, make it a No. 4. It's the workhorse of the bench plane family — versatile enough for smoothing, flattening, and general stock preparation.

Brands like Irwin Record and Spear & Jackson offer reliable No. 4s at a great price point for beginners.

Best for: smoothing and finishing timber surfaces.

2. No. 5 Jack Plane — The Workhorse

Longer than a No. 4, the jack plane is used for initial stock preparation — removing rough saw marks and flattening wider boards before finishing with a smoother. If you're working with rough-sawn timber, this is invaluable.

Best for: rough stock removal and flattening.

3. Block Plane — The Everyday Companion

Compact and single-handed, a block plane is perfect for trimming end grain, chamfering edges, and fitting joints. It's the plane you'll reach for most often at the bench.

The low-angle variants (like the No. 60½) are particularly versatile. Not sure whether to start with a block plane or bench plane? Read our Block Plane vs. Bench Plane guide.

Best for: end grain, chamfers, and fine trimming.

4. No. 3 Smoothing Plane — The Precision Option

Slightly smaller than the No. 4, the No. 3 is ideal for lighter work and finer finishing on smaller pieces. A good choice if you work with smaller stock or decorative pieces.

Best for: fine finishing on smaller workpieces.

Tips for Buying Your First Hand Plane

Buy quality over quantity — one well-made plane beats three cheap ones. Brands like Irwin Record, Spear & Jackson, and Stanley Bailey are solid starting points.
Check the sole is flat — a twisted or bowed sole will never plane true. Check with a reliable straightedge before use.
Learn to sharpen — a sharp iron is everything. Even the best plane is useless with a dull blade. Read our complete guide on How to Sharpen a Hand Plane Iron to get it right from the start.
Set up and maintain properly — take time to adjust the cap iron, set the depth, and square the blade. Read our Hand Plane Maintenance guide to keep your planes in top condition.