WoodRiver Low Angle Block Plane with Adjustable Mouth

Definitely the best hand plane I’ve ever had. I’ve been a carpenter (mostly finish and cabinets) for 27 years. In the past I’ve had a few big box block planes. Once the sole was flattened and the blade sharpened and honed I thought, that’s good enough. However, this plane came out of the box very flat (not perfect but I’m not a machinist) and the 1/8” thick blade was sharp enough to test plane some 1x white oak I had. I looked at more expensive and less expensive planes, some of which seem like they are intended to be more of a decoration rather than a woodworking tool. This one meets the need with only a little chrome.. The plane does weight a lot (cast iron body compared to the pot metal that likely makes up the cheap ones I’ve had). The very best part for me is the quick release frog/chipbreaker. The blade advance is so easy compared to other planes. I read some reviews that it keeps popping up/loose. It did that to me a couple times so I gave the tension screw a quarter turn tightening and presto! I love this tool so much that I plan to use it for all the fillers and baseboards I need to fine tune the scribe with. I even made a nifty leather pouch so I can keep it on my belt at all times.

After being a hobbyist woodworker for years I’ve been trying to learn and use more traditional hand tools. I’ve rehabbed half a dozen garage sale Stanley planes over the last few years, getting use to the tools before dipping my toes into the pricier options. I finally decided to step up to the Wood River low angle block plane to replace a much cheaper low end box store plane. I couldn’t be happier. I wanted to see how well this plane worked right out of the box with out spending the customary hour or two fine tuning blade and sole. I cleaned up the minimal amount of packing oil with mineral spirits, adjusted the blade and put it to work on some very well seasoned ash. Out of the box it’s producing great shavings on the long grain and trueing up the end grain without tear out. I guess you really do get what you pay for. As useful as a block plane is, I know this will be getting lots of work in the future…it’s pleasant to use a plane I’m not regularly fighting with. Fit and finish are spot on. Can’t wait to see how it’ll run fully tuned. I would definitely recommend this plane.

Great plane for the money. This is a big upgrade over a stanley block plane. Buy once, cry once.

I have no idea what sheerness and thickness relate to on a plane so I rated those both three stars. This is a high quality plane that was ready to use right out of the box. Is it worth the approximately $130 I paid for it? Comparing it to a $50 standard Stanley low angle block plane, it is a much better plane, but it is $80 better? You'll have to make that decision for yourself. If you are doing general carpentry save the money and buy the Stanley. With a good tune-up, set-up and blade sharpening, it will more than meet your needs. If you are using this for precision woodworking or as the primary plane for your small shooting board, this is an excellent choice.

Worked OK right out of the box but much better after sharpening. The bottom was pretty flat, and the sides were 90deg. Comfortable when pushing or pulling. The blade was a good thickness and, because of the cutting angle, easy to sharpen manually without any jigs. I'm accustomed to a lateral adjuster and on-the-fly depth of cut adjustment, and this plane has neither, which I find annoying. Any lateral or depth of cut adjustment must be done by loosening the cap first then adjusting both again. it looks like most people don't complain about, though. It's a good plane, well made, and good value.