7 Woodworking Plane Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for woodworking planes as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 7 woodworking plane manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked woodworking plane companies as of November, 2024: 1.Highland Hardware, Inc, 2.Classic Hand Tools Limited, 3.Kakuri Sangyo.
Table of Contents
What Is a Woodworking Plane?
A woodworking plane is a tool that is applied to the surface of wood to smooth the surface by scraping.
The woodworking plane is used to flatten rough or uneven surfaces and to adjust the thickness of the wood. It takes considerable experience in terms of usage and maintenance to be able to use a woodworking plane successfully.
However, some canners are available with replaceable blades that are easy to use even for beginners, so we recommend that you choose the one that best suits your needs.
Uses for Woodworking Planes
Woodworking planes are used for a wide range of woodworking tasks, from general DIY to professional job site woodworking. The tool is used to smooth the surface of wood, and there are different types of woodworking planes for different materials. The most common type is the flat woodworking plane, which is used to remove the surface.
Other types include the chamfering plane, for removing corners, and for shaping grooves. A file is also used to smooth the surface. The main difference between a file and a woodworking plane is that a file is used to rub the surface of the wood to make it smooth, while a woodworking plane is used to strip the surface of the wood into a thin layer with the blade.
When you want to use a solid wood surface, woodworking planes are the best way to achieve a finish that gives the best of the solid wood.
Principle of the Woodworking Planes
The planer consists of a wooden planing plane and a blade. The plane is flattened by scraping the surface of the wood with a blade that protrudes slightly from a groove in the planing plane. There are two types of blades: single-blade and double-blade, with double-blade blades being the most common today.
The two-blade one prevents the blade from cutting into the material or peeling off the surface, even when the wood is reverse grain. It is important to have a good coordination of these two blades in a woodworking plane.
How to Choose a Woodworking Plane
Select the woodworking plane to be used according to the shape of the material to be worked. It is also very important to choose one that matches your experience level in order to improve work efficiency and the finished product.
1. Choosing the Right Woodworking Plane for the Intended Use
There are various types of woodworking planes, including flat planes for flattening wood surfaces, chamfering planes for shaving wood corners, and for shaping grooves. There is also a small woodworking plane that fits in the palm of the hand.
2. Select by Blade Replacement and Adjustment Method
Replaceable Blade Type
Conventional woodworking planes require sharpening the blade with a whetstone and adjusting the distortion of the woodworking plane with a woodworking plane, which requires considerable training. In comparison, the replaceable blade type is easy for beginners to use because the blade is replaced. The replaceable blade is replaced when the blade becomes hard to cut, just like a razor.
Screw Type
Adjustment of the blade is usually done by tapping the head of the woodworking plane blade to bring the blade out and tapping the head of the woodworking plane stand to retract the blade. In the case of the screw type, the blade can be adjusted more easily.
3. Selecting by Manual or Electric
The blade attached to the drum is rotated electrically to shave wood. Although not as suitable for delicate work as a hand woodworking plane, its power makes it relatively easy for beginners to use and efficient for finishing large areas.
Other Information About Woodworking Planes
1. How to Adjust the Blade
The key to using a woodworking plane is to adjust the blade and the direction of the wood. The length of the blade that extends beyond the woodworking plane must be adjusted in order to remove only a thin layer of the wood's surface.
Use a hammer or mallet to tap the woodworking plane and blade to adjust the length. Tap the head of the woodworking plane to retract the blade and tap the head of the blade to extend the blade. It is important that the blade is horizontal, and adjustments are made by tapping on both sides of the blade a little at a time. The blade should be as small as a hair. 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm is appropriate.
Once the blade is adjusted, test sharpen it using a scrap piece of wood and readjust it if necessary.
2. How to Woodworking Plane
Start by pressing the blade vertically against the woodworking plane. Hold the woodworking plane firmly with one hand and place your fingers on the blade with the other hand. Pull the plane parallel with your body, not just with your hands. It is important that the workbench on which the woodworking plane is placed is also firm and stable.
3. How to Handle When Not in Use
When setting down the woodworking plane in the middle of work, place the woodworking plane on its side so that the blade does not hit the workbench. This is to prevent damage to the blade. When not in use, retract the blade completely.
List of 7 Woodworking Plane Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Denmark
- United Kingdom
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Highland Hardware, Inc
Hand Planes
Company Overview
Highland Hardware, Inc., established in 1978 and headquartered in Midtown, Atlanta, is a manufacturer and distributor of woodworking and hand tools. The company offers an extensive and diversified product portfolio, which includes tools like the SawStop Professional Cabinet Tablesaw PCS, Record Power Coronet Herald 14-inch EVS Lathe, Hofmann & Hammer Premium German Workbench, Festool CXS 18, and TXS 18 Li-Ion Cordless Drills, as well as Narex Richter Cryo-Treated Bevel-Edged Chisels, among others. These tools find applications in various industries, including joinery, carpentry, construction, and engineering.
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Lie-Nielsen Toolworks
Handplanes
Manufacturer Overview
Lie-Nielsen Toolworks is a manufacturer founded in 1981 and based in Maine, United States, specialized in hand tools, particularly for woodworking. The company preservs traditional craftsmanship and offers a diverse range of hand tools, including hand planes, chisels, saws, carving tools, and measuring instruments. These crafted tools are utilized by woodworking professionals, allowing its clientele to achieve precision and detail in crafting projects and products. Industries and artisans in the woodworking field utilize the company's products to create fine furniture, cabinetry, and other woodworking projects with quality and accuracy.
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Woodcraft Supply Store Inc.
WOODWORKING HAND PLANES
Manufacturer Overview
Woodcraft Supply Store Inc. is a retailer of woodworking tools, supplies, and materials. It is headquartered in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and was established in 1928. The company one of the nation's oldest and largest suppliers of quality woodworking tools and supplies, including hand tools, power tools, wood, finishes, and accessories. It operates over 160 stores in the United States and Canada and also sells its products online through its website. The company's customers include hobbyists, professional woodworkers, and businesses.
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Kakuri Sangyo
Japanese Hand Plane
Company Overview
Kakuri Sangyo, headquartered in Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier specializing in a diverse range of woodworking and carpentry tools established since 1946. The company's product catalog includes various hand tools like chisels, saws, planes, and marking tools. These precision instruments are designed to cater to woodworking professionals and enthusiasts, offering tools to create finely crafted woodwork. Industries and artisans in the woodworking and carpentry fields utilize the company's tools to execute intricate joinery, precise cuts, and intricate woodwork.
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Rockler Companies, Inc.
Hand Planes & Spokeshaves
Distributor Overview
Rockler Companies, Inc. is an American retailer/supplier of woodworking tools, supplies, and hardware. The company was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Clearwater, Minnesota. Its main activity is the retail sale of woodworking tools, supplies, and hardware. The company also offers a wide range of services, such as woodworking classes, tool sharpening, and custom woodworking. To support its global customers with convenience, the organization has a full-fledged online marketplace. Rockler's products are used by a wide range of customers, including woodworkers, hobbyists, and professionals.
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Woodworking Plane Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Highland Hardware, Inc |
34.0%
|
| 2 | Classic Hand Tools Limited |
16.8%
|
| 3 | Kakuri Sangyo |
13.8%
|
| 4 | Lie-Nielsen Toolworks |
11.5%
|
| 5 | Woodcraft Supply Store Inc. |
9.2%
|
| 6 | Rockler Companies, Inc. |
8.7%
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| 7 | KYOCERA UNIMERCO |
6.0%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the woodworking plane page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
- Classic Hand Tools Limited: 2003 (21 years ago)
- Highland Hardware, Inc: 1978 (46 years ago)
- Kakuri Sangyo: 1946 (78 years ago)
Company with a History
- Woodcraft Supply Store Inc.: 1928 (96 years ago)
- Kakuri Sangyo: 1946 (78 years ago)
- Highland Hardware, Inc: 1978 (46 years ago)
Woodworking Plane Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Woodworking Plane Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
1 | 33.3% |
Denmark
|
1 | 33.3% |
United Kingdom
|
1 | 33.3% |
