Best Smoothing Planes of 2025

"I found the price to be fantastic, only $21.76 with tax and shipping! I’ve tried several modern hand planes and this one required the least amount of work to get it ready. The sole was fairly close to flat, and I could easily flatten the blade and chipbreaker. Overall, it’s a worthwhile plane!"

"For my first hand plane, I was pleasantly surprised. It took minimal effort to set up and was great for leveling my dished cutting board. I could remove about an eighth of an inch quickly. I am planning to buy another iron to switch between scrub and smoothing functions. I’m quite satisfied!"

"I ordered two planes, and while the first was pretty good, the second one had serious flaws. The sole was uneven and the blade had defects. I rated it three stars because the first one was decent, but the second was disappointing due to poor quality control."

"I know nothing about woodworking, but I needed to plane down some planks for a gate. This plane was affordable, and it did exactly what I needed; it planed well."

"I used the planer to shave off thin strips from my wooden gate when it swells from moisture. It's very sharp, allowing me to easily remove the excess without overcutting."

"I was pleasantly surprised by this affordable little plane. It's very sturdy, works excellently, and is comfortable to use, especially for someone like me who has never used a plane before!"

"After struggling with the Amazon Basic plane, I decided to try the Jorgensen #4 and I couldn't be happier. The difference is remarkable, and once I watched a few setup videos, I had it dialed in perfectly. I was impressed with the sharpness of the iron and the quality of the cut right out of the box, without any tune-up!"

"This product has exceeded my expectations. Every Jorgensen tool I've purchased has been top-notch, and this plane is no different. It's razor sharp straight from the package and produces beautiful shavings. Adjusting it is a breeze, both during setup and while in use."

"The Jorgensen #4 offers great value for the price. It’s well built and, although I had to sharpen the blade, that’s expected. After tuning it, I was able to achieve the nice shavings I’ve seen experts make on YouTube!"

"As a beginner, I found this plane needed some initial work right out of the box. I followed a video by Paul Sellers on restoring planes, and now it works beautifully. The only thing to note is that the gap between the plane iron and the mouth is larger than expected, but I managed to adjust it for nice, clean cuts. Overall, it's a great option if you want something affordable and effective."

"When I first got this plane, I was surprised by its sharpness. I used it on a workbench top and found it to be a nice size for typical jobs. Although I had to make some adjustments, I'm pretty happy with its performance overall."

"I only recently started woodworking and found this plane to be a good choice for my needs. After taking it apart and adjusting the blade, I was able to get it working well on some harder wood. For any beginner with a bit of curiosity and willingness to tinker, it’s definitely worth trying out."

"I found this plane to be a great addition to my workshop. After seeing a similar one for $75 at a flea market, I believe this tool is correctly priced. Thank you!"

"I had to spend a few hours tuning this plane before it worked well. The plane iron needed sharpening, and the sole was not flat initially. However, after putting in the effort, it performs adequately."

"This plane was recommended by a well-known woodworker, and I'm glad I listened. It performs just great, and I find it easy to sharpen and maintain."

"I found the setup minimal and the plane was comfortable to use. It feels like a much more expensive tool than it is, and I highly recommend it."

"When I first received my plane, I was disappointed by some quality issues. However, after exchanging it, the replacement exceeded my expectations with a flat sole and squared sides. After a little tuning, it performs beautifully and offers great value for the price."

"As a beginner, I was amazed at how well this plane worked right out of the box. After sharpening the blade, I was able to achieve very fine shavings without any adjustments to the sole. I paid a bit more for this tool, but it was worth it for the quality and performance I experienced."

"The plane arrived in good condition but had some rust and corrosion. I spent hours refurbishing it and found that the critical parts were poorly machined. I expected tuning, not this level of work. If you have metalworking skills, it might be worth it, but otherwise, I suggest looking for a better option."

"I received a cheap plane that required at least 8 hours of work to make it functional. After all that effort, it works fine, but I recommend spending a bit more for something better if you're short on time."

"I had some issues with the handle right out of the box. It was loose, and the screw wouldn't tighten. After some adjustments, it fits better, but it still attaches at an angle. The blade also needed sharpening. Overall, it took a lot of work to get it to a decent state."

"As a newcomer to hand planes, I found it easy to sharpen the sole, sides, and iron in about an hour. For a budget plane, I consider that pretty impressive. It's definitely an upgrade from the Spear and Jackson model I returned due to a bent chip breaker. However, I noticed that the depth adjustment is not very reliable due to the backlash."

"After receiving my replacement #4 plane, I'm pleased to say it's working perfectly. I honed the iron and tuned the sole, and now it cuts like a dream. I initially had issues with the #3 plane's poor machining, but I decided to keep it for testing. It's disappointing since it actually performs well, but the quality control needs improvement. I adjusted my rating to four stars after Groz took care of the replacement."

"I decided to try the SP-3 Smoothing Plane despite mixed reviews. Right out of the box, it looked promising. However, after honing the iron, I struggled to seat it straight. Upon checking, I found that the frog adjustment screw was tapped at an angle. I’ve reached out to Groz for a solution and am waiting for their response."

"I received this plane yesterday and took off the blade for sharpening with a wet stone. It works well out of the box, but I fine-tuned it a bit. Today, I used it and really enjoy it. The small size and how it feels in my hand are great. It's a nice little plane, and I highly recommend it."

"This replica of the Stanley #1 plane is a well-executed working model that can be easily adjusted for precision tasks. With just a careful sharpening and fine-tuning, it's perfect for what I need."

"As a novice woodworker, I was amazed by the beautiful craftsmanship of this plane. Having experience in mechanics, I can appreciate its sharp blade and well-finished handles. The setup was surprisingly easy, and I was able to start working on my project right away!"

"I've dealt with low-quality planes for ages, so investing in this WoodRiver plane was a big step for me. It’s the most expensive tool I've owned, yet I found it worth every penny. The design is based on iconic Stanley Bedrock planes, which makes a noticeable difference in performance. Although there were some minor adjustments needed, overall, it’s a solid and beautiful addition to my shop."