käsihöylät

Käsihöylät, commonly translated as hand planes, are woodworking tools used to shape wood by removing shavings. They consist of a sharp blade, called a iron or cutter, set at an angle within a body. The user pushes the plane along the surface of the wood, and the blade shaves off a thin layer. This process can flatten, reduce the thickness of, or impart a smooth finish to a wooden surface.

There are many types of hand planes, each designed for specific tasks. Bench planes are general-purpose tools used for tasks like flattening, squaring, and smoothing lumber. Block planes are smaller and designed for one-handed use, often employed for chamfering edges or paring end grain. Spokeshaves are used for shaping curved surfaces, such as those found on chair legs or spokes. Other specialized planes include smoothing planes for final finishing, jack planes for initial dimensioning, and jointers for straightening long edges.

The effectiveness of a hand plane relies on the sharpness of its iron and the precise setting of its depth of cut. Maintenance, including sharpening the iron and adjusting the blade, is crucial for optimal performance. Hand planes are fundamental tools in traditional woodworking and continue to be valued for their precision, control, and the tactile feedback they provide.