Top tools: Block planes
Our pick for a low-angle block plane
WoodRiver low-angle block plane with adjustable mouth
Model Low angle, adjustable mouth
Why we picked it
- Our pick for one block plane: a low-angle plane with an adjustable mouth. Wood Magazine's testers said a low-angle model is the one to buy first (their own top picks, from Lie-Nielsen and Veritas, cost more).
- Fine Woodworking's reviewer found it flawlessly made, with fine machining, and said it performed on a par with premium block planes for less money.
- Wood Magazine's testers preferred WoodRiver's cam-lock knuckle lever caps to the other lever caps in their test of 15 planes.
- Popular Woodworking's guide names it the value pick among affordable block planes.
Specs (from the maker)
- 12° bed with a 25° blade bevel
- Blade 1-5/8 in. wide and 0.125 in. thick, high-carbon steel hardened to Rc 60-64
- Adjustable mouth
- Ductile iron body, about 2 x 7 in.; knuckle-joint lever cap
Keep in mind
- Wood Magazine found the WoodRiver blades weren't sharp out of the box and needed sharpening before use, so plan on a sharpening setup.
Where to buy
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Photo credits
- WoodRiver low-angle block plane with adjustable mouth: Image: WoodRiver product image
More on WoodRiver low-angle block plane with adjustable mouth
Keep in mind
- Popular Woodworking's guide notes that some users report small quality issues.
- Fine Woodworking's review is from 2011 and Wood Magazine's test from 2020; we found no newer independent test of this plane.
What the sources found
- Fine Woodworking: WoodRiver block planes review (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent review, Feb 10, 2011; checked ): Found WoodRiver's low-angle and standard block planes flawlessly made, with fine machining, at 1 lb 14 oz each, with the only knuckle-joint lever cap on the market at the time. The blades took a keen edge, and the reviewer said they performed on a par with premium block planes for less money.
- Wood Magazine: Our favorite block planes (Internet Archive copy) (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, Dec 10, 2020; checked ): Tested 15 block planes, including two from WoodRiver. The testers preferred WoodRiver's cam-lock knuckle lever caps, but found its blades weren't sharp out of the box. They'd buy a low-angle plane first; their top picks were the Lie-Nielsen 60 1/2 and Veritas DX60. We read the Internet Archive's copy because the live page blocked our reader.
- Popular Woodworking: Affordable block planes (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent guide, Updated Jun 1, 2026; checked ): A buying guide that names this WoodRiver plane its value pick, listing the 12° bed, 25° blade and adjustable mouth, with the con that some users report small quality issues. The page says its picks come from research, testing, reviews and AI-driven recommendations, and that it may receive a commission.
- Woodcraft: WoodRiver low-angle block plane with adjustable mouth (external site, opens in a new tab) (maker spec page; checked ): WoodRiver is Woodcraft's own brand. Lists the 2 x 7 in. size, 1-5/8 x 0.125 in. high-carbon blade at Rc 60-64, 25° bevel, 12° bed, adjustable mouth, ductile iron body and knuckle lever cap.
How we picked
We didn't hands-on test these. We picked it by reading independent tests and reviews (Fine Woodworking, Wood Magazine and Popular Woodworking), checking Woodcraft's spec listing for its own WoodRiver brand, and checking the price at Woodcraft. Every pick has at least three independent sources from at least two different outlets, including at least one independent test or review. They're all linked with the pick, along with what each one found. Fine Woodworking's review is from 2011 and Wood Magazine's test of 15 block planes is from 2020; the Wood Magazine page blocked our reader, so we read the Internet Archive's copy. We also searched the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database on Oct 22, 2026 and found no recall for this plane. Wood Magazine's favorites, from Lie-Nielsen and Veritas, cost more; we chose a plane closer to the price of most of our tool picks. Prices, review counts and links were last checked on ; prices and stock change, so check the store before you buy.
No paid links. Every link on this page is a plain link: no affiliate codes or tracking, and no company paid or asked to be listed (disclosure). Links open in a new tab.
Some outlets we cite get review samples from tool makers; we don't use pieces a maker paid for or sponsored.
We pick tools from independent tests and reviews, not our own testing.