Japanese Hand Planes

Small Hand Plane HSS SKH51
Replacement Japanese Carbon Blade natural whetstone nakayama

Difference between
Western Hand Planes and
Japanese Hand Planes
western hand planes japanese hand planes

Structure: Usually metal-bodied with mechanisms like levers or screws to hold and adjust the blade.

Usage Style: Made to push forward, providing a firm and powerful cut.

Adjustment Method: Blade is fine-tuned using screw or lever systems—efficient and user-friendly.

Performance: Stable construction makes it highly suitable for heavy-duty or production work.

Cultural Background: Widely used across Western woodworking traditions, ideal for structural work and mass production.

Structure: Typically made of wood, with a slightly curved blade embedded directly into the body.

Usage Style: Designed to pull towards the user, allowing for delicate, refined cuts.

Adjustment Method: Blade depth is adjusted by tapping the blade with a hammer—a traditional technique.

Performance: Produces extremely thin shavings, ideal for fine surface finishing.

Cultural Significance: Reflects the Japanese aesthetic of precision, simplicity, and respect for natural materials.
western hand planes

Structure: Usually metal-bodied with mechanisms like levers or screws to hold and adjust the blade.

Usage Style: Made to push forward, providing a firm and powerful cut.

Adjustment Method: Blade is fine-tuned using screw or lever systems—efficient and user-friendly.

Performance: Stable construction makes it highly suitable for heavy-duty or production work.

Cultural Background: Widely used across Western woodworking traditions, ideal for structural work and mass production.

japanese hand planes

Structure: Typically made of wood, with a slightly curved blade embedded directly into the body.

Usage Style: Designed to pull towards the user, allowing for delicate, refined cuts.

Adjustment Method: Blade depth is adjusted by tapping the blade with a hammer—a traditional technique.

Performance: Produces extremely thin shavings, ideal for fine surface finishing.

Cultural Significance: Reflects the Japanese aesthetic of precision, simplicity, and respect for natural materials.

As a store specializing in knives and tools, we carry a wide variety of planes handcrafted by our plane craftsmen.
We have compiled a list to help you find the plane you are looking for based on type, steel material, brand, etc.
Types of Planes

Large Planes Small Planes Sole Flattening Planes Rabbet Planes
Large Planes

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 Small Planes

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 Sole Flattening Planes

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 Rabbet Planes

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Gotoku Planes Compass Planes Spoon bottom Planes Spokeshave Planes
Gotoku Planes

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 Compass Planes

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 Spoon bottom Planes

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 Spokeshave Planes

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Chamfer Plane Replacement Blade Natural Whetstone
Chamfer Plane

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 Replacement Blade

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 Natural Whetstone

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Large Planes Small Planes
Large Planes

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 Small Planes

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Sole Flattening Planes Rabbet Planes
Sole Flattening Planes

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 Rabbet Planes

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Gotoku Planes Compass Planes
Gotoku Planes

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 Compass Planes

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Spoon bottom Planes Spokeshave Planes
Spoon bottom Planes

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 Spokeshave Planes

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Chamfer Plane Replacement Blade
Chamfer Plane

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 Replacement Blade

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Natural Whetstone
Natural Whetstone

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Our plane bodies are made of quarter-sawn white oak. Additionally, the bedding (Kata Hori / standard) varies depending on the type and product, so please check the product details.
The Best 3 of Hand Planes
no.1
1113585

"SHINGI" Small Hand Plane
HSS SKH51
white oak base 50mm

BUY NOW 		no.2
1118554

"BANTO" Replacement
Japanese Carbon Blade
for Multi-brand Hand Plane

BUY NOW 		no.3
Natural Whetstone NAKAYAMA

Natural Whetstone
-NAKAYAMA-

BUY NOW

Match different types of wood with specific types of steel.

Steel Type Compatible Wood Types
Name Soft wood Medium Hard wood Hard wood Laminated lumber
Swedish Steel ◎ ◎ × ×
Blue Paper No.2 Steel 〇 〇 △ ×
Blue Paper No.1 Steel 〇 〇 △ ×
Blue Paper No.1 Forged Steel ◎ ◎ △ ×
Special Cutlery Steel △ ◎ △ ×
Swallow Steel × 〇 ◎ ×
Blue Paper Super Steel 〇 ◎ 〇 ×
Togo Rei Steel 〇 ◎ 〇 ×
SKH51 △ 〇 △ ◎
HAP40 △ ◎ 〇 ◎

◎ Optimal ○ Suitable △ Slightly unsuitable × Unsuitable



Choose by Brand

This is a top-quality plane made using carefully selected steel.
The steel used is Togo Reigo and Aogami Super Steel, and the base metal is wrought iron (Kamaji) .
Brand name Steel Bullion Applications Features
GENSUI
GENSUI 		Togo Rei Wrought iron (Kamaji) That can be used on both softwood and hardwood trees.

A top-class plane made in the early Showa period, using rare steel called Togo Rei-go Dai. It is highly durable and wear-resistant, making it a coveted item among plane craftsmen and carpenters.
TETSUNO-KOKORO
TETSUNO-KOKORO 		Blue Paper Super Steel Wrought iron (Kamaji) That can be used on both softwood and hardwood trees.

A top-class plane made with the highest-grade Yasuki steel, Aogami Super. It is a versatile type that can handle both soft and hard woods, boasting sharp cutting performance. It also has no unique sharpening hardness and is well-tempered.
Brand Name Steel
Bullion
Applications
Features
GENSUI
GENSUI

Steel:Togo Rei

Bullion:Wrought iron (Kamaji)

Applications:That can be used on both softwood and hardwood trees.

Features:
A top-class plane made in the early Showa period, using rare steel called Togo Rei-go Dai. It is highly durable and wear-resistant, making it a coveted item among plane craftsmen and carpenters.
TETSUNO-KOKORO
TETSUNO-KOKORO

Steel:Blue Paper Super Steel

Bullion:Wrought iron (Kamaji)

Applications:That can be used on both softwood and hardwood trees.

Features:
A top-class plane made with the highest-grade Yasuki steel, Aogami Super. It is a versatile type that can handle both soft and hard woods, boasting sharp cutting performance. It also has no unique sharpening hardness and is well-tempered.

Plane for tool-conscious craftsmen.

"This is a traditional plane made with wrought iron (Kamaji) for the body. Only wrought iron produced in England before the mid-Meiji period is used.
Brand Name Steel Applications Features
Hakuryusai
HAKURYUSAI 		Blue Paper No.1 General Wood

Our store's best-selling small plane. This is a standard professional plane that is easy to use and made with basic steel.
Yugumo
YUGUMO 		Blue Paper No.1 General Wood

Our store's best-selling large plane. This is a standard professional plane that is easy to use and made with basic steel.
Tenzan
TENZAN 		Swallow Steel Hardwoods

A plane for hard materials made with extra-special steel called Tsubame Steel from the mid-Showa period. By changing the setup angle, it can shave super-hard materials such as zelkova, ebony, and bubinga.
Suika
SUIKA 		Special Cutlery Steel That can be used on both softwood and hardwood trees.

Using special steel with added durability to Aogami steel. It is suitable for both softwoods and hardwoods, offering a light and smooth working experience.
Nanban Iron
NANBAN IRON 		Blue Paper No.1 Forged Steel For Conifers

By forging and stretching specially ordered steel from the 1940s, impurities are removed, toughness is increased, and it becomes easy to sharpen and long-lasting. It is ideal for medium woods to softwoods, making it perfect for cedar and thin shaving.
Satoru
SATORU 		Swedish Steel For Conifers

A plane made with steel that gives softwoods a lustrous finish. It is easy to sharpen and has a smooth pull. While its durability is lower than that of Aogami steel, the sheen on the shaved surface is distinct.
Michi
MICHI 		Special Carbon Steel For Conifers

A plane using steel that contains elements of special steel within Swedish steel. The special carbon steel is easy to sharpen and features smooth cutting performance. It also has durability, making it suitable for a wide range of shaving, especially for softwoods.

Brand Name Steel
Applications
Features
Hakuryusai
HAKURYUSAI

Steel:Blue Paper No.1

Applications:General Wood

Features:Our store's best-selling small plane. This is a standard professional plane that is easy to use and made with basic steel.
Yugumo
YUGUMO

Steel:Blue Paper No.1

Applications:General Wood

Features:Our store's best-selling large plane. This is a standard professional plane that is easy to use and made with basic steel.
Tenzan
TENZAN

Steel:Swallow Steel

Applications:Hardwoods

Features:A plane for hard materials made with extra-special steel called Tsubame Steel from the mid-Showa period. By changing the setup angle, it can shave super-hard materials such as zelkova, ebony, and bubinga.
Suika
SUIKA

Steel:Special Cutlery Steel

Applications:That can be used on both softwood and hardwood trees.

Features:Using special steel with added durability to Aogami steel. It is suitable for both softwoods and hardwoods, offering a light and smooth working experience.
Nanban Iron
NANBAN IRON

Steel:Blue Paper No.1 Forged Steel

Applications:For Conifers

Features:By forging and stretching specially ordered steel from the 1940s, impurities are removed, toughness is increased, and it becomes easy to sharpen and long-lasting.
It is ideal for medium woods to softwoods, making it perfect for cedar and thin shaving.
Satoru
SATORU

Steel:Swedish Steel

Applications:For Conifers

Features:A plane made with steel that gives softwoods a lustrous finish. It is easy to sharpen and has a smooth pull. While its durability is lower than that of Aogami steel, the sheen on the shaved surface is distinct.
Michi
MICHI

Steel:Special Carbon Steel

Applications:For Conifers

Features:A plane using steel that contains elements of special steel within Swedish steel. The special carbon steel is easy to sharpen and features smooth cutting performance. It also has durability, making it suitable for a wide range of shaving, especially for softwoods.

Standard Work Plane

It is easy to use and has excellent cost performance, making it an ideal plane for work.
The base metal is made of extremely soft iron.
Brand Name Steel Bullion Applications Features
ZUIUN
ZUIUN 		Special powder steel (HAP40) Extremely soft iron Suitable for a wide range of woods

A plane with the widest range of cutting, suitable for general woods, softwoods, hardwoods, and laminated materials. It combines the cutting performance of Aogami steel with the durability of high-speed steel, allowing for all types of shaving depending on the sharpening
SHINGI
SHINGI 		High speed steel (SKH51) Extremely soft iron Suitable for a wide range of woods

A plane suitable for a wide range of materials, from laminated and plywood to hardwoods and softwoods. It is easy to handle and does not require uradashi (tapping-out).
ASUKA
ASUKA 		Blue paper No.2 Extremely soft iron Suitable for softwoods to medium woods.

A cost-effective, easy-to-handle professional plane. It comes in a variety of types, allowing you to choose according to your needs
YOSHIMINE
YOSHIMINE 		Blue paper No.1 Extremely soft iron Suitable for softwoods to medium woods.

A plane made with Aogami No. 1 steel and extremely soft iron for the body, pursuing ease of use and cost-effectiveness. It is easy to handle and does not require uradashi (tapping-out).

Brand Name Steel
Bullion
Applications
Features
ZUIUN
ZUIUN

Steel:Special powder steel (HAP40)

Bullion:Extremely soft iron

Applications:Suitable for a wide range of woods

Features:A plane with the widest range of cutting, suitable for general woods, softwoods, hardwoods, and laminated materials. It combines the cutting performance of Aogami steel with the durability of high-speed steel, allowing for all types of shaving depending on the sharpening
SHINGI
SHINGI

Steel:High speed steel (SKH51)

Bullion:Extremely soft iron

Applications:Suitable for a wide range of woods

Features:A plane suitable for a wide range of materials, from laminated and plywood to hardwoods and softwoods. It is easy to handle and does not require uradashi (tapping-out).
ASUKA
ASUKA

Steel:Blue paper No.2

Bullion:Extremely soft iron

Applications:Suitable for softwoods to medium woods.

Features:A cost-effective, easy-to-handle professional plane. It comes in a variety of types, allowing you to choose according to your needs
YOSHIMINE
YOSHIMINE

Steel:Blue paper No.1

Bullion:Extremely soft iron

Applications:Suitable for softwoods to medium woods.

Features:A plane made with Aogami No. 1 steel and extremely soft iron for the body, pursuing ease of use and cost-effectiveness. It is easy to handle and does not require uradashi (tapping-out).

No Need Tapping-out

Regular planes have 'Ashi' on both sides and at the cutting edge. The planes that don't require uradashi (tapping-out) have no Ashi on the sides and feature a gentle R-shaped curve from the center of the steel to the cutting edge.

tapping-out

Therefore, even professionals do not need to perform the difficult uradashi (blade back flattening) task. When the cutting edge wears down, you can create a back blade just by sharpening the back without uradashi.

We offer planes that do not require uradashi in both large and small sizes.
Large Planes
(No need tapping-out)		 Small Planes
(No need tapping-out)
Large Planes

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 Small Planes

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Why is wrought iron used as bullion?

The reason wrought iron is used as a base metal is that its coarse grain and softness make it very easy to sharpen. The wrought iron used in our planes is only that manufactured in England before the mid-Meiji period. At that time, smelting in England was done using charcoal and firewood as fuel, so the temperature during smelting did not rise sufficiently and iron was produced that was insufficiently melted.
As a result, wrought iron has coarse grains and oxygen bubbles remain, making it soft and easy to sharpen.

Another attractive feature is that it can be finished with the unique wood grain pattern of wrought iron .

Wrought iron is made by blacksmiths who process and forge the anchor chains of ships and dismantled iron bridges, such as those shown below, into ingots.


Plane blades made of wrought iron have black dots and oxygen pores, making them extremely easy to sharpen.
About the plane stand

The oak wood used for our plane stands is MASAME white oak.
MASAME grain is often used from the Tokai region to the Kyushu region, and has the advantage that the grain is uniform and the bottom end is less likely to wear down because the annual rings radiate from the center.
However, it also has the disadvantage that it can easily become distorted depending on the climate and humidity.

MASAME

In addition to MASAME grain, we can also handle ITAME grain and OIMASAME grain, so if you would like a plane stand with something other than straight grain, please contact us.

The method of hitting the base (wrapping or normal mouth) varies depending on the type and product,
so please check the product details.

kanebori