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Six Ways to Hold a No. 1 Plane

David Heim, contributor

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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.

The Double-Digit Pinch. Gets a grip on the tote, but doesn’t do much for steering.

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.

The Fist Bump. A hip way to greet the plane. Just ask the First Family.

The Right Stuff. It’s the No. 1, so it makes sense to grab it between one finger and the thumb.

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 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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