Shoulder plane pairs classic styling with solid performance

Wood River’s Medium Shoulder Plane (No. 92) traces its lineage back to iron shoulder planes that Edward Preston manufactured around the turn of the 20th century. But Wood River didn’t just reproduce the Preston models. They made them better by redesigning the blade-adjustment mechanisms to eliminate lateral slop when the blade is moved forward or back—a real plus for this trimming tool.

Out of the box, the plane is well made, with unique and beautiful details cast and machined without any burrs or sharp edges. The 3⁄4-in.-wide by 8-13⁄16-in.-long plane feels solid and comfortable in the hand. The sole was dead-flat and the sides were accurately square to the sole, an important characteristic for trimming tenon shoulders. The blade is flat, square, and 0.006 in. wider than the plane body, allowing it to project 0.003 in. beyond each side of the body, ideal for cutting clean, square corners. Mouth adjustments are precise, making it easy to dial in the tool for fine or aggressive cuts. The combination of aesthetics and quality makes this shoulder plane a top performer at a very attractive price.

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