Online Lee Valley Veritas Bevel-Up Smoother Plane

A nice complement to our low-angle jack plane, our state-of-the-art smoothing plane is the tool to use for the final finish on surfaces, especially woods of difficult grain patterns.

Dubbed the 164 1/2H, it combines the generous width and weight (4 lb 14 oz) of a dedicated smoother with the versatile inner workings of a low-angle bevel-up plane. The coffin-shaped body, with a 10″ × 3 1/8″ sole, is made of fully stress-relieved ductile cast iron and has an exceptionally low center of gravity for smooth, stable cutting action. Accurately machined, the sole is flat and square to the sides.

The 12° bed angle, coupled with the 38° blade bevel, yields an effective cutting angle of 50°, often called York pitch. This is an ideal starting angle for minimizing tear-out on difficult wood. For the most difficult grains, even higher cutting angles (for creating Type II chips) can be achieved, either by honing the blade with a higher micro-bevel or using one of the optional blades below.

The adjustable mouth can be closed to a narrow slit for fine shavings with minimum tear-out or opened for heavier cuts. A stop-screw in the throat adjusts to whatever mouth opening you find ideal for chip breaking and chip clearance. This lets you open the mouth fully for blade removal (for honing) and replacement, yet quickly restores your exact mouth setting. The large hardwood front knob and rear handle provide both comfort and excellent control. The adjustment mechanism, with its combined feed and lateral adjustment knob, makes blade setting easy and accurate. Set screws prevent the blade from shifting, but allow full lateral adjustment.

Includes a lapped 38° blade, 2 1/4″ wide by 3/16″ (0.187″) thick, made in your choice of A2, O1 or PM-V11 tool steel. Lapped 25° and 50° blades are available separately, as well as a toothed A2 blade for working difficult grains.

Made in Canada. Patented.