Japanese Hand Planes

Japanese planes (kanna) pull towards the user, giving excellent control and a superb surface finish.  Their laminated blades and wooden bodies produce fine shavings with minimal effort.

What are Japanese planes used for?
Japanese planes, or kanna, are traditional hand planes used to flatten, smooth, and refine wood surfaces. Unlike Western planes, they are pulled toward the user rather than pushed, offering greater control, precision, and connection to the material. They are prized in fine woodworking and joinery for producing razor-thin shavings and glass-smooth finishes.

How are Japanese planes different from Western-style planes?

• Pull action: Japanese planes are pulled toward the body, allowing for greater sensitivity and control

• Construction: Typically feature a wooden body (dai) and a laminated blade (hagane and jigane), with no mechanical adjusters

• Adjustment: Blade depth and squareness are set manually using light taps with a hammer
  These differences make Japanese planes more tactile and customizable, but they may require more skill to set up and use effectively.

How do I set up and maintain a Japanese plane properly?

• Flatten the sole (dai) regularly with a straightedge and sandpaper or a scraper for optimal contact

• Set the blade with light taps, ensuring it sits firmly and square to the sole

• Sharpen the blade using waterstones, maintaining the traditional hollow grind and flat back

• Store in a dry environment and avoid metal striking hammers to prevent damage
  With practice and care, Japanese planes offer exceptional performance and unmatched surface finishes in precision woodworking.