55. Choosing the right Block Plane

55. Choosing the right Block Plane

Every woodworker needs a block plane. Take a look at the many varieties that have been made over the years and keep an eye out for at least one of these indispensabe handtools.

Visit: https://www.blackburnbooks.com to view books. To order, call 845-430-3417 or email gbmunc@gmail.com

Call 845-430-3417 or email gbmunc@gmail.com to enquire about and sign up for individual and small group lessons in Woodstock NY.

30 Comments

  1. Richard Baker on September 29, 2023 at 8:37 pm

    What do you think of the argument, that block planes are more for carpentry, for conveniently having a plane in your pocket (say for trimming a drawer on a jobsite).
    Thanks for the great video!



  2. Willy Bemis on September 29, 2023 at 8:38 pm

    Thank you!!



  3. Slomkaadas on September 29, 2023 at 8:38 pm

    Again, thank you Sir for your knowledge



  4. pfswalter on September 29, 2023 at 8:39 pm

    Good afternoon Graham just watch this video on block planes I have an assortment of planes from steel to wood and transitional just wondering if you had a transitional block plane to show. Thanks



  5. Chris U on September 29, 2023 at 8:40 pm

    Thank you for another interesting video. The best parts of these are the little tips such as why to keep the mouth opening as narrow as possible to avoid tear out.



  6. One Handed Maker on September 29, 2023 at 8:40 pm

    I love my block plane!!
    A joy to watch your videos.
    Your workshop makes a great backdrop in the videos as well.
    Always inspiring and I admire your imagination to keep coming up with great ideas.
    Well done.
    One Handed Maker – Australia



  7. Pit Snipe on September 29, 2023 at 8:42 pm

    Great lesson on my favorite plane. Have a very basic Stanley block plane I bought at a hardware store 40 years ago, still a great tool.



  8. John Ford on September 29, 2023 at 8:47 pm

    Thank you very much. As usual, interesting and informative.



  9. Cybo dog on September 29, 2023 at 8:49 pm

    Thanks Graham. I have enjoyed your videos and your books.



  10. Richard Williams Williams on September 29, 2023 at 8:57 pm

    Good afternoon from Copperhill Tn.



  11. Patrick Baum on September 29, 2023 at 9:00 pm

    Last week I ordered and received all five volumes of Mr. Blackburn’s woodworking books, which are as delightful and educational as the man himself. Highly recommended. Thank you for these treasures, Mr. Blackburn!



  12. gA on September 29, 2023 at 9:00 pm

    Thank you



  13. Dean Simpson on September 29, 2023 at 9:00 pm

    Thanks, your knowledge and willingness to share is very helpful. So many times it is assumed that concepts of woodworking are common knowledge. You don’t make any assumptions. I really appreciate your approach!



  14. Matthias Vermeijs on September 29, 2023 at 9:01 pm

    i think block planes are great, the one plane you wil find in the toolbox of most modern woodworkers who work with machines only.



  15. slush puppy on September 29, 2023 at 9:05 pm

    Hi Mr Graham. I just happened across your channel recently and enjoy it immensely! I wanted to ask if you had any videos regarding tear out, especially on more figured wood or wood grain direction changing. I usually just fall back on my scrapering cards when this happens however when building a large table top and flattening I ran into quite the tear out problem. Thanks for the great content!



  16. Unownerdead on September 29, 2023 at 9:06 pm

    I always struggled to use a shooting board on end grain with a 4 or even a 5 plane, mostly because it’s so uncomfortable to hold, but it also just didn’t cut well. I also never used my block plane much, because I figured my 4 would always work better. But when I finally tried the block plane on my shooting board, I saw the light! Cuts better and is much more comfortable to hold! You lose some width on your cuts, but it still works for most boards. I’d highly recommend it!



  17. Petter E on September 29, 2023 at 9:07 pm

    A request for the audio editing: would it be possible to boost the volume of Graham’s voice? It is rather low compared to the tool noises and the commercials.



  18. esteve costa masmitja on September 29, 2023 at 9:08 pm

    Hola i gràcies per les classes mestre.
    Els seus llibres estan traduits a l’espanyol?
    Gràcies



  19. Thomas Hverring on September 29, 2023 at 9:08 pm

    You are building an invaluable library of videos, Graham. It’s such a treat to all woodworkers that you’ve decided to continue your tireless work of spreading the good word of woodworking. I quite honestly feel lucky that you are making this resource which should be available for many, many years to come (hopefully indefinitely, but who knows how YouTube and the internet works in the future). I haven’t missed a single of these videos! And reading your books too makes it even better! So thank you!



  20. nick mastro on September 29, 2023 at 9:08 pm

    I always look forward to watching your videos. Very good presentation on block planes.



  21. Carlos Motta on September 29, 2023 at 9:10 pm

    Another great video, down to the ground, and straight to the point. Congratulations from Brazil.



  22. Festus171 on September 29, 2023 at 9:11 pm

    Excellent as usual! I never knew why they were called Block Planes; what an interesting source of name. I have an old Stanley Sweet 16 block plane, and I struggle with getting it set so that the palm/lever cap doesn’t pop off at inopportune times, even with that annoying attribute it works amazingly well in all situations.



  23. RYwoodview on September 29, 2023 at 9:12 pm

    Wonderful presentation. Thank you, Graham! I just saw that I have 4 block planes, for no known reason, each one different. Now I’ll understand the differences.



  24. MC's Creations on September 29, 2023 at 9:15 pm

    Fantastic as always, Graham! Thanks a lot for another lesson! 😃
    Stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊



  25. Darin on September 29, 2023 at 9:16 pm

    thanks



  26. Ade V&Wco on September 29, 2023 at 9:19 pm

    Excellent, thank you for sharing your knowledge



  27. Roman L on September 29, 2023 at 9:21 pm

    Thank you Graham!
    These small planes are handy for small jobs like chamfering.



  28. Doug Commons on September 29, 2023 at 9:24 pm

    Thank you Mr. Blackburn.



  29. Michael McDermott on September 29, 2023 at 9:25 pm

    Wonderful, down to earth presentation. Thank you!



  30. Francesco Squillacioti on September 29, 2023 at 9:29 pm

    Hi Graham. Thank you for the videos. They are invaluable. I enjoy the way you present the information and appreciate the depth of content. I ALWAYS want to drop what I’m doing and go to my bench after watching….

    One request: could you do a video about planing very thin stock? Or working with thin stock in general? I find it very frustrating, and have a difficult time getting stock a consistent thickness. Mainly, this is a question of how best to hold it all down. Very grateful if you would address it. Thank you