Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
A shoulder plane is a specialist hand plane for refining joinery: its blade reaches the sides of the body so you can trim a tenon shoulder, rabbet, or groove while guiding the plane against the adjoining wall. It is a secondary fitting tool, not a substitute for a general-purpose bench plane or for removing most of the stock.
What a shoulder plane is used for
Use a shoulder plane to correct a joint after the main cuts are made. Its blade runs across the full width of the plane, allowing it to trim right up to a vertical shoulder or rabbet wall. That makes it useful for bringing tenon shoulders and rabbets square and refining tenons and grooves. WOOD Magazine describes it as a secondary plane for selected joint-fitting work; Lie-Nielsen lists shoulders, rabbets, tenons, and grooves among the No. 042’s applications.
How to choose a shoulder plane
Match its size to the joint
Compare the plane’s body and blade width with the tenons, rabbets, and grooves you expect to fit. A small plane is easier to use on small joints; a larger body can offer more reach on larger work, but may be less comfortable to control one-handed. Fine Woodworking’s review of the Lie-Nielsen 073 found it excellent for large work but less ideal for one-handed use. That assessment is specific to its review and model, not a universal rule about every large shoulder plane.
As a concrete medium-size reference, Lie-Nielsen lists its No. 042 at 7¾ inches long, ¾ inch wide, and 2.35 pounds. It describes the medium plane as about half the width and weight of its large shoulder plane, for lighter work and furniture joinery. These are the manufacturer’s specifications for this model, not standard dimensions for the category.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- 1-3/32-Inch Wide by 6-Inch long
- Shoulder plane
- Easily converted to chisel plane or bull nose plane
- For fine tuning mortise and tenon joints
Check the sole and sides
A flat sole and sides square to it help the plane guide a true cut. In its evaluation of six models from a test published in May 2008, WOOD Magazine found three sufficiently flat and square out of the box; the others needed work with abrasives and float glass. The result describes those six tested planes, not current production units or all shoulder planes. WOOD Magazine’s review was updated in 2025 but identifies the underlying test as the May 2008 comparison.
Compare blade and adjustment features
Blade material, bed angle, and bevel vary by model; a particular specification is not a requirement for all shoulder planes. Lie-Nielsen specifies an A2 blade bedded at 18 degrees with a 25-degree bevel on its No. 042, for a 43-degree included cutting angle. Lee Valley offers the Veritas medium shoulder plane with either an O1 or PM-V11 blade. Lie-Nielsen No. 042 specifications; Veritas medium specifications.
Rank #2
- Block Plane: Our low angle bench plane promise superior performance when trimming end grain and edge grain. This mini plane tool has an adjustable mouth and precision machining.
Look at how the plane adjusts blade depth and whether its mouth can be adjusted. A smaller throat gap can produce a thinner shaving, while the mechanism and ease of adjustment differ among models. Check whether you can make controlled changes without disrupting your grip.
Assess grip and control
Hand size and working position affect comfort. In its shop test, WOOD Magazine praised the Veritas grip features, including repositionable knobs on the large model and a finger hole, while finding some lever caps awkward in certain hand positions. These are the magazine’s findings from its test, not a claim that the same grip suits every user. See WOOD Magazine’s comparative review; Lee Valley describes the large Veritas model’s wooden knobs and finger hole.
Rank #3
- For tweaking tenons, rabbets and dados
- Sides square to sole
- Classic look and feel
- Adjustable Mouth for Minimizing Tear out -
- Looking for the perfect Holiday Gift? WoodRiver is proudly made by Woodcraft, America’s leading supplier of high-quality woodworking hand tools, power tools, domestic and exotic wood, shop supplies, project plans and kits, plus so much more! Our family of brands include Woodcraft tools and supplies, Highpoint professional-grade fasteners and hardware, and Pinnacle precision-engineered tools, for the holidays.
What reviews say about named models
WOOD Magazine named the Veritas medium and large shoulder planes its Top Tools and the WoodRiver medium its Top Value in its shop test. The magazine also reported excellent marks for Lie-Nielsen and H.N.T. Gordon models. Those are comparative judgments from that publication’s test, not a current hands-on assessment or a guarantee that a particular plane will suit your work.
Its older six-model comparison covered the Clifton 420, E.C. Emmerich 710-P, Lie-Nielsen 042, H.N.T. Gordon ¾-inch model, Veritas 05P41.01, and Stanley 92. Because that test dates to May 2008, it is useful for understanding what reviewers compared—such as square shoulders, blade-depth adjustment, and throat opening—but should not be treated as a current market survey.
Rank #4
- Professional Level Blade: The blade is a professional level O1 tool steel, improving sanding efficiency while minimizing blade wear, finely sharpened for efficient wood trimming. Besides, there are a total of 4 different shaped tips to choose, meeting different needs
- Storage Space: JORGENSEN chamfer plane comes with storage space, the end of the product is where the blades are stored, which can effectively prevent the chaotic arrangement of blades to avoid losing them. The cover clasp is very firm and won't be opened easily, you can store them with peace of mind
- Polished Bottom & Ergonomic Appearance: The bottom is finely polished, very flat to ensure smooth use, and is not stained, won't leave any color on the wood. In addition, the hand plane has a curved exterior to fit the curve of hand, and the body has a small groove for easy gripping
- Adjustable Design: The cutting depth of this edge corner plane is adjustable, just turn the knob, you can easily adjust the length of the blade, then effortlessly smooth the edges of wood, very convenient and efficient
- Package Include: 1pc * wood edge planer, 1pc * 45° flat cutter head, 1pc * 1/4" round cutter head, 1pc * 1/8" round cutter head, 1pc * 3/16" round cutter head. Comes with an instruction manual, simple and easy to operate, novices can also quickly become proficient in using it
For Veritas versus Lie-Nielsen, start with the work scale and features you need rather than assuming one brand is the better choice. The Veritas medium has O1 and PM-V11 blade options; the Lie-Nielsen No. 042 has the dimensions and A2 blade specifications listed above. The cited WOOD Magazine test favored Veritas in its award categories, while also giving Lie-Nielsen excellent marks. Those findings do not establish a universal winner.
Set the blade before fitting a joint
- Sharpen the blade. WOOD Magazine sharpened all blades before its comparative evaluation; follow the guidance for your specific model.
- Set projection on scrap. After sharpening, Veritas advises setting the blade projection on scrap wood to confirm the depth before using the plane on the project.
- Check the cut and adjust as needed. Use the scrap to verify that the plane takes the shaving you intend before moving to the joint. Veritas setup guidance.
Check current price and availability
Prices and stock can change by date and region. When accessed in 2026, the Lie-Nielsen No. 042 page displayed $285 and marked the plane unavailable; that status is volatile and should not be assumed to reflect current availability. Check the maker’s listing for current price, shipping region, stock, and return terms before buying. Lie-Nielsen No. 042 product page.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteQuick Recap
Best Value
- 3-in-1 Shoulder Planes for Woodworking: For fine-tuning tenons and cleaning up corners, rabbets, and other joinery elements, reach for the Bench Dog 3-in-1 hand planes & accessories. This hand wood planer is a shoulder plane, bullnose plane and chisel plane in one versatile tool
- Chisel Plane: This woodworking shoulder plane includes two nose pieces one long, one short both of which are removable for conversion to a chisel plane.
- Hand Plane Blade: The 1'' shoulder plane blade is a hair wider than the full width of the plane body, ensuring clean, sharp corners without leaving a ridge. Like our other Bench Dog planes, both the fine iron castings and the blade are precision ground flat.
- Easy Installation: Install the long extension for a bench plane iron, the short extension for a bullnose plane, and no extension for a chisel plane.
- What’s Included? These hand tools for woodworking include (1) Bench Dog Tools 3-In-1 woodworking plane, (1) Black storage case, (1) Certificate of Inspection, and (1) Owner's manual.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
