WoodRiver - #4 1/2 (Rating: 5)

These planes get a bad rap for no reason.

This WoodRiver #4 1/2 plane can handle even the most highly figured maple and still produce wispy shavings. The #4 1/2 plane is a great choice for a smoother, being wider and heavier than a standard #4. The extra heft helps it to keep going when a lighter plane would get bogged down during heavy cuts, or by difficult grain.

Don't let the low price on WoodRiver planes fool you. They are top quality planes and an exceptional value.

The WoodRiver V3 planes are modeled after the famous Stanley Bedrock design developed in the early 1900s. The Bedrock advantage is that it allows you to adjust the frog without having to remove the blade. This makes it easy to go from a wide mouth for heavy cuts, to a narrow one for fine shavings and to reduce tear-out on highly figured woods. A narrow mouth opening means a shorter distance between the sole and the blade, so the sole is pressing down on the wood fibers and preventing lifting which can lead to tear-out.

The WoodRiver planes are beautiful in their fit and finish, with a smooth, flat sole and sides that are square to it. The mating surface between the frog and plane body is precisely milled as is the face of the frog giving a smooth, flat surface to support the blade.

A few minutes spent sharpening the blade and relieving the edges of the sole will yield a plane that is a joy to use and will last a lifetime.