Why Every Woodworker Needs a Shoulder Plane
Shoulder planes are quiet achievers in the world of woodworking. They do not shout for attention but earn their place in your kit every time you reach for one to fix a tight tenon or smooth the cheeks of a rabbet. These tools excel at refining joints where accuracy matters.
Use a shoulder plane to clean up saw marks, perfect the fit of a tenon, trim dados or even form a shallow rabbet in a pinch. If you cut your joinery by hand or on the table saw, this tool bridges the gap between rough cuts and joinery that fits just right.
The WoodRiver Advantage
WoodRiver® Shoulder Planes bring together the charm of antique design with the precision of modern machining. Inspired by the legacy of Edward Preston and Sons, this tool features a narrow body, a blade that projects slightly wider than the sole for edge-to-edge trimming, and sides that are square to the base. The sole is flat and the plane is built for control and consistency. An adjustable toe lets you manage the throat opening to reduce tear-out, especially on tricky end grain.
WoodRiver took over two years to develop this plane, refining every detail to deliver a tool that performs as well as it looks. The result is a shoulder plane you will reach for often, not just admire from a distance.
Built with Purpose
This tool is not just pretty. The body is made from Cr40 stress-relieved ductile steel for strength and stability. The Mn65 tool steel blade is hardened to 60–64 Rc for toughness and edge retention. The blade advancement mechanism moves smoothly and allows for precise depth setting. Setup is simple and the results speak for themselves.