The Fickle Finger. Unless the plane’s razor-sharp, it won’t raise much of a shaving if you steer it this way.
The Lie-Nielsen No. 1 bench plane is a relative bargain at $225. A vintage Stanley No. 1 recently sold for $710 in an eBay auction. The Lie-Nielsen reproduction also comes with a nice set of use and care instructions. If only they were more complete.
What’s missing? A few words of advice on how to get a grip on this tiny tool. Smaller than a block plane, the No. 1 looks exactly like its larger siblings, but it’s built for a toddler’s hands. I don’t know too many people who would trust a toddler with such an expensive tool. I also don’t know any adults who have hands small enough to grab a No. 1 with all four fingers. (Oh, there was a guy in a Burger King commercial whose hands were digitally diminished, but he doesn’t count.)
So, in a spirit of helpfulness, I offer the six ways to hold a No. 1 plane shown in the photos above. If anyone has a better method, I welcome your comments.
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The Fickle Finger. Unless the plane’s razor-sharp, it won’t raise much of a shaving if you steer it this way.
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The Double-Digit Pinch. Gets a grip on the tote, but doesn’t do much for steering.
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The Cover Up. Fine if you like to have hard metal edges poking the palm of your hand. -
The Praying Mantis. Works best if the plane answers to a higher power.
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The Fist Bump. A hip way to greet the plane. Just ask the First Family.
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The Right Stuff. It’s the No. 1, so it makes sense to grab it between one finger and the thumb.
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