Iron Planes

While in continental Europe, except for the Netherlands, the plane with a wooden body predominates, in England and North America, you almost exclusively see planes made of cast iron. The Dutch, being an old trading nation, were always overseas-oriented and gladly adopted the English models in the 19th century. These are heavier than wooden planes but not as delicate. It’s impossible to definitively say which type of plane is better.

A carpenter who has worked with wooden planes all their life will reject iron planes—and vice versa. However, one thing can be said with certainty: the small iron pocket planes or one-handed planes (also known as „block planes”) have no serious wooden competitor in terms of versatility, and they live up to their name: they truly fit in a pocket and are thus an indispensable companion in the workshop and on the construction site. Most iron planes have an iron fine adjustment. A tip for this: first slightly (not completely) loosen the cap with the help of the cam or knurled screw, then engage the fine adjustment. It should move easily; never use force! If you do not heed this, you will ruin the thread!