Free Ryuzo hammer with any plane $150+ · Same-day dispatch before 12pm · Free shipping over $200

Japanese hand planes

Which plane do I need?

From your first 42mm smoothing plane to hand-made 70mm kanna, plus rebate, corner and chamfer planes. Pick the job, choose the size, then compare makers and steel.

Find your plane Size guide
  • Made in Japan
  • Laminated blades
  • 14-day returns

Offer

Free Ryuzo bronze hammer with any plane over $150

Every kanna is set with light hammer taps, so we’ll include Kakuri’s Ryuzo 225g hammer free with any plane $150 or over. Tap “Add + hammer” and it goes in your cart at no charge.

Ryuzo Bronze Hakkaku Hammer 225g

Ryuzo Bronze Hakkaku Hammer 225g

$62 Free

Step 1 · Choose a type

What do you want to plane?

Japanese planes (kanna) are made for specific jobs. Most woodworkers start with a smoothing plane, then add a small plane or a rebate plane as projects demand.

  • Smoothing plane 平鉋

    Hira-kanna · the flat plane

    Flattens and finishes faces and edges, straight from the plane. With a chipbreaker it cuts cleanly with or against the grain. The first plane to own.

    Blades from 30mm to 70mm

  • Small plane 豆鉋

    Mame-kanna · one-handed

    A compact flat plane for fine detail, small parts and chamfers. Easy to control and quick to tune, so it’s a great way to learn the basics.

    Blades from 36mm to 48mm

    Build a mini ebony plane set →

  • Rebate plane 決り鉋

    Shakuri-kanna · grooves and rebates

    The blade runs right to the side of the body, so it cuts rebates and grooves of a consistent width you would otherwise chop out with a chisel.

    15mm to 42mm, left and right handed

  • Corner plane 隅突鉋

    Sumitsuki-kanna · bullnose

    The blade sits right at the front of the body, so you can plane up into corners and stopped rebates where a normal plane can’t reach.

  • Chamfer plane 面取鉋

    Mentori-kanna · even chamfers

    A built-in guide registers on the corner of the work, so every chamfer comes out even. Kakuri’s adjustable version sets 30°, 45° and 60°.

  • Curves 南京鉋

    Spokeshaves and spear planes

    For shaping curves, spindles and chair parts that a flat sole can’t follow.

    30mm and 36mm spokeshaves

Step 2 · Pick your plane

Every plane, by type, size and maker

Type
Blade
Maker

Size guide

Which size of plane?

Blade width is the main choice for a smoothing plane. Here’s how our sizes compare to Western planes.

Blade widthThink of it asBest for
30–42mmA block planeDetail work, chamfers, small parts and learning to tune. Kakuri’s 42mm is our favourite all-rounder.
48–54mmA jack or smoothing planeThe adaptable middle size: set it up to smooth, or give the blade more curve for faster stock removal.
58mmA No.4 smoothing planeThe classic smoother for boards and panels, with dimensions close to a Stanley-pattern No.4.
64–70mmA wide finishing planeFinishing large flat surfaces like tabletops. Mostly hand-made planes from master makers.

Tip: choose a blade slightly wider than the work you usually plane, so you can cover it in one pass. New to planes? Start compact: a smaller plane is easier to control and to tune.

The makers

Our plane makers, compared

From Kakuri’s everyday planes to hand-made kanna from master makers.

MakerMade inBlade steelFromCharacter
Kakuri Sanjo, Niigata Laminated steel; Premium range in Aogami – Founded in 1946 in Sanjo. Well-made, affordable planes, and where most woodworkers start.
Tachibana Japan Aogami (blue paper steel), Aogami #1 – Traditional kanna with the widest range of specialty planes: rebate, corner, chamfer and mame planes.
Kamiwaza Sanjo, Niigata Aogami #1, Aogami Super – “Divine technique”: planes and spokeshaves from one of Japan’s oldest blacksmithing towns.
Yamamoto-san Japan Aogami – Hand-made Tesshinsai and Hikoroku kanna for fine finishing.
Mizuno-san Japan – – Compact, hand-made chizoku hiraganna in 42, 48 and 54mm.
Michio Japan Aogami #1 – A 70mm kanna with an adjustable mouth, for the finest shavings.

Setting up

A little setup, then a lifetime of shavings

Japanese planes are left slightly tight so you can fit the blade to the body where you’ll use it. It’s simple, it teaches you how the plane works, and you’ll need a small hammer to do it.

  1. 01

    Flatten the back

    Work the area just behind the cutting edge on a #1000 stone until it is evenly flat. There’s no need to flatten the whole back.

  2. 02

    Sharpen the bevel

    Hold the angle steady, use the whole stone, then refine the edge through finer grits.

  3. 03

    Seat the blade

    Pencil the blade, tap it in, and pare only the marked high spots until the edge reaches the mouth. Take off too little rather than too much.

  4. 04

    Set it with a hammer

    Light taps on the head of the blade deepen the cut; a tap on the back of the dai backs it off. Set the chipbreaker 0.2–0.5mm behind the edge.

Read our tuning guidePrintable instructions (PDF)

Questions

Do Japanese planes need setting up?

Yes, a little. Japanese planes are deliberately fitted tight so you can adjust the wooden body (the dai) to the blade in your own climate. Expect an hour or two the first time; after that it’s quick. Our tuning guide and printable instructions walk you through it.

Why are Japanese planes pulled?

Kanna are pulled towards you rather than pushed. The pull stroke gives excellent control and, once you have the knack, an exceptionally smooth finish.

What does the chipbreaker do?

The second blade sits just behind the main blade and stops the timber tearing out, especially against the grain. That’s why double-blade planes are the standard and much more forgiving while you learn.

What is Aogami steel?

Aogami, or blue paper steel, is a high-carbon Japanese steel that takes a very keen edge and holds it well. Japanese blades laminate this hard steel to a softer iron back, so they sharpen easily without giving up edge life.

How does the free hammer work?

Any plane $150 or over shows “+ Free hammer”. Tap “Add + hammer” and the Ryuzo 225g hammer goes into your cart with the plane, then the discount makes it free at checkout. One free hammer per order.

Shipping and returns

Orders placed before 12pm are dispatched the same day from Sydney, and shipping is free over $200. If you’re not happy, you can return it within 14 days.

Not sure which plane suits your work?

Call us on 02 9527 3870 or visit our Sydney showroom to try one.

Find your plane