A smooth No. 1 debut

No. 1 Bevel-Up Plane, no. 05P5771, $199 Lee Valley’s newest hand plane gives you the functionality of a block plane in a smoothing plane body, with the leverage of a tall tote and, if you need it, a front knob to grip. This no. 1 uses a bevel-up 1 7 ⁄32"-wide blade made from PM-V11 hardened tool steel. The blade has a 25° bevel angle and beds at a 15° angle. The 1 25 ⁄32×513⁄16" cast body provides an adjustable mouth, and uses a Norris-type blade adjuster. (You can also buy this plane with a carbon-steel blade, no. 05P5751, for $189.)