When the time comes for shaving or smoothening wood, only a tool that does the job perfectly can be employed. A wood shaver hand tool is hand-held equipment that carpenters use to shave the surface of the wood or simply smooth it. The tool is driven by hand and uses muscle power.
These tools that have been around for the longest time don’t seem to become obsolete anywhere in the future because of their smooth and accurate shaves.
While wood shavers come in different sizes, most of them have similar shapes. Hence, they can work very well for veteran woodworkers who love the vintage way of doing things. Different wood shavers/planers tend to have a slight difference in performance. Hence, you want to know the nitty-gritty of getting one that perfectly suits your projects.
Below is a list of the best wood shaver hand tools for use in 2023. The guide includes their features, specs, and performance. Read on!
List of Top 5 Wood Shaver Hand Tools
1. VEVOR Router Plane, Handheld Woodworking Tool
Are you looking for a wood shaver that combines premium quality, strong material, safe to use, all within your budget? The VEVOR Router Plane Handheld Woodworking Tool is it. The plane comes with excellent features that you’ll fall in love with.
It’s hard to believe that such a powerful tool can be taken out with just a few dollars. If you’re looking to slash $100 from this price tag and are a DIY enthusiast, VEVOR has got you. The company is offering a $100 coupon offer to customers who are willing to post their DIY products. Simply sign up for the VEVOR MONTHLYDY PROECIS to participate in the challenge.
Here’s more about the plane.
Features and Performance of the VEVOR Router Plane Handheld Woodworking Tool
- Premium quality: VEVOR’S plane is a heavy-duty tool that comes with high-quality, tough stainless steel that’s sharp enough to peel wood smoothly.
- Adjustable plane: The plow plane comes with an adjustable plane that’s very easy to regulate. Besides, its very compatible handles make the ride over the wood very smooth and effortless. With the wood router, you’re able to push the plane at a constant speed all the way, making your work clean and smooth.
- Adjustable blade depths: The premium design of the plane makes adjusting the blade depths very easy. By simply rotating the screw, you’re able to adjust the depth of the blades. The blades are made of thickened steel for minimal chatter. The blade gives very accurate cuts, leaving out smooth surfaces.
- Upgrade base and handle: The plane comes with a pair of handles that are long enough for a comfortable grip. The handles are about 3 cm longer than most brands in the market, which makes it the most efficient plane to work with. As a safety precaution, the router has a solid 4.33″ x 2.76″ base which also elevates its stability.
- Wide scope of applications: You have numerous options where you can use this plane from dovetail cutting, laminate trimming, slot cutting, bit plumbing, and edge forming. The plane feels like a once-and-for-all tool.
Specifications
- Model: VVRP-S1-S
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Handle Material: Bakelite
- Handle Shape: Cylindrical
- Blade Type: Oblique
- Color: Silver
- Weight: 1.7 lbs
2. STANLEY Hand Planer No.4 Adjustable, 2-Inch Cutter (12-404)
The STANLEY Hand Planer comes a little heavier than the VEVOR Router Planer. STANLEY has carefully incorporated important features in this planer, making it among the best budget-friendly shavers. However, as you take it out, you’ll realize that it’s not very ready for use as it might require some grounding to flatten the sole more.
Here’s more.
Features and Performance of STANLEY Hand Planer No.4 Adjustable 2-inch Cutter
- High-quality material: The sole of the planer is made of cast iron which makes it very easy to cut wood. Besides, the planer has precision-ground sides and sole which is important because the cutting process is going to be effortless.
- High life expectancy: The blade comes with excellent features like cast-iron material and epoxy coating that make it more durable. The bench place also has a cutting edge that’s made of hardened, tempered steel.
- Adjustable cutter: The cutter edge can be adjusted manually and easily. Hence, the woodworker is in control of the level of depth and alignment they need.
- Comfortable handle: The handle is made of high-impact polymer that gives the hand a comfortable grip. To elevate comfort, the knob is contoured and polished.
Specifications
- Material: Blend
- Weight: 2.75 pounds
- Power source: Battery powered
- Style: Tool, woodworking, adjustable
3. YOGEON Block Hand Plane
Here’s another price-friendly option. One thing you’ll realize about this planer is its need for more flattening of the sole to make it stable. Nevertheless, the planer combines good quality features that are discussed below.
Features and Performance of YOGEON Block Hand Planer
- Great control: The planer comes with a unique design that gives you control of the cuts. The frog and the base have a sturdy one-piece casting that allows you to give a dope finish.
- High-quality material: The blade is made of thickened steel which makes it sharper and more durable. The blades with ⅛” steel for minimal chatter and smooth cuts. Besides, its precision-ground sole allows for accurate cuts and stability.
- Effortless cuts: You can hold the planer for hours without realizing it because of its comfortable, contoured handle. Besides, its compact size allows you to reach areas that other planers don’t.
- Variety of use: You can carry this tool for any type of wood project, whether professional or DIY. Do you need a planer that cuts, polishes, and deburrs wood surfaces perfectly? This tool is it.
Specifications
- Material: Stainless steel
- Style: 4”
- Power source: Manual
- Weight: 11 ounces
- Batteries required?: No
4. WoodRiver #6 Bench Plane
This plane adopts heavy castings and machine frogs. The plane falls on the pricey side of the scale, and features a modern design, with an elegant appearance.
Features and Performance of WoodRiver #6 Bench Plane
- The plane comes with an amazing weight of 8.8 pounds, heavy enough to slide down through the toughest woods. The handheld plane is very easy to control due to its comfortable handles made of lightly-finished Bubinga. The handles are well-positioned with one at the back and a knob at the front to give you full control of the tool.
- Flat sole: WoodRiver’s sole is flat enough to run through every surface and leave it as flat as required. Its tough blade makes the work very easy and smooth as well.
Specifications
- Weight: 8.81 pounds
- Size: #6
- Style: Modern
- Batteries required?: No
5.Veritas #4 1/2 Smoothing Plane
Here’s an excellent plane that’s good at smoothing. After you’re done cutting or peeling the surface, Veritas runs in with a powerful and very sharp blade to give it an excellent look.
Features and Performance of Veritas #4 1/2 Smoothing Plane
- Very sharp blade: While Veritas’ planer can meet general needs, the planer is also known to deliver when fine cuts are required.
- Excellent design: The planer has a frog that extends down to the frog, a feature that’s very critical in providing blade support and minimal chatter. Besides, it also helps in the quick and easy adjustment of the mouth
- Adjustable cuts: Whenever fine shavings and minimum tear-outs are required, the planer is closed to a narrow slit and it will perfectly deliver. But in case you need heavier cuts, you’ll simply need to loosen the screws without removing the lever cap and use the thumb wheel to set the opening.The body is made of ductile cast iron which makes it durable.
The above review sheds light on the high-end nature of VEVOR’s planer and how much using it will elevate the quality of your work. The planer is better than the rest in the list owing to its very affordable price and excellent multi-functional features. The planer is also ready to use and doesn’t require any adjustments like the YOGEON and STANLEY hand planers.
Different Types of Wood Shaver Hand Tools
Bench planes: These are mostly used on the workbench. They also feature a handle at the back and a knob at the front to give good control of the planer. Most of these blades come with a chip deflector which is always positioned above the cutting blade
Block plane: This is a traditional plane that is controlled by one hand. They are mostly used for such tasks as sharpening a shop pencil, planing a line, and erasing mill marks among others.
Joinery plane: This type of plane is used in fine woodworking. The planes are used to make cuts and grooves whenever joints are about to be fitted together. They create uniform cuts with the help of special blades called shoulders.
Molding plane: This is used to create shapes and contours.
What Should You Look for When Buying a Wood Shaver Hand Tool?
- Material
You’re better with a metal hand plane than any other material because of its durability. However, planes with wooden handles are important for looks and feel. Besides, wooden planes are generally lighter than metal ones.
- Low angle planes
Getting a low-angle plane means the plane has a shallow depth and is easy to adjust and control.
- The comfort of the handles
If taking out a heavy plane, look for one with a large knob at the front and a curved handle at the back. This will not only be comfortable but will also give you full control of the plane.
Are Wood Shaver Hand Tools Worth It?
Yes! Most of these good planes like the VEVOR wood planer are available at very friendly costs yet with enormous advantages such as cutting, trimming and chamfering different types of wood.
FAQ About Wood Shaver Hand Tools
1) How do I keep my hand plane from rusting?
Make a point of lightly coating the plane with paste wax. This will help seal out the moisture that normally causes rusting.
2) Can a hand plane dig in?
Yes! This is normally caused by the flexing of the blade. You want to check how tight the blade is, how even the bed of the frog is, or whether the shavings got their way under the blade.
3) How deep can a hand planer cut?
The maximum depth a hand planer can get is ⅛”. However, some planes can go to only half or a quarter of this depth.
