wood plane

A hand plane is a tool for shaping wood. Planes are used to flatten, reduce the thickness of, and impart a smooth surface to a rough piece of lumber or timber. Planing is used to produce horizontal, vertical, or inclined flat surfaces on workpieces usually too large for shaping.

The mouth is an opening in the bottom of the plane down through which the blade extends, and up through which wood shavings pass.

The iron is a plate of steel with a sharpened edge which cuts the wood. Some people refer to it as theblade.

The lever cap holds the blade down firmly to the body of the plane.

The depth adjustment knob controls how far the blade extends through the mouth.

The knob is a handle on the front of the plane.