Some people may scoff that I put this plane in as a Timber Framing Tool. It is not a mistake on my part. This plane is really the perfect tool for cleaning up tenons, shoulders and even haunches.

For those unfamiliar with it, the blade goes right up to both edges of the plane so it can cut flush. It also had retractable cross grain knickers to pre-cut the path of a cross grain rabbet or wide dado. The handles tilt so that you can use it without whacking your knuckles on the timber. There are pre-war Stanley's out there that are well made, but the tilting handles are often broken and there were NO cross grain knickers, so in this case I highly recommend going right to this tool as a new purchase. I'd buy this one again in a heartbeat for my next timber framing project. It is well worth the price and way better than any "power tool." I consider it an essential timber framing tool.

from $375