Key points
- No. 4: 9 in, 2 in iron, about 3¾ lb.
- No. 5: 14 in, 2 in iron, about 4¾ lb.
- No. 5½: 15 in, 2¼–2⅜ in iron, about 6¾ lb, made 1898–1958.
- Leach: the No. 5 is “the most useful of all the bench planes”.
- Sellers: the No. 4 does “99% of the work”.
ComparisonSide by side
| No. 4 | No. 5 | No. 5½ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Smoothing | Jack | Wide jack |
| Length | 9 in | 14 in | 15 in |
| Iron width | 2 in | 2 in | 2¼ in (2⅜ in from 1939) |
| Weight | 3¾ lb | 4¾ lb | 6¾ lb |
| Best at | Final smoothing, small work | All-round: flattening, edges, rough work | Heavier stock, wider surfaces |
Dimensions from Patrick Leach’s Blood & Gore; Handplane Central gives a 2⅜ in iron for the 5½.
First planeWhich plane should you buy first?
Leach calls the No. 5 the most useful of all the bench planes and a very good plane on which to learn technique. Matt Vanderlist, quoted by The Wood Whisperer, suggests a block plane first and, for a single bench plane, the No. 5, which can be tuned to act as a smoother. Paul Sellers, by contrast, makes the No. 4 his first choice and says he uses it for 99% of his work. If you will flatten and joint rough boards, start with a 5; if you mostly smooth prepared stock, a 4.
BuyingBuying a vintage No. 4 or No. 5
Both were made in huge numbers, so good users are affordable; Handplane Central lists average prices for corrugated versions in the tens of dollars. Check for cracks (especially at the cheeks and mouth), a complete frog and lateral lever, and an iron with life left. See our pages for the No. 4 and No. 5, what affects value, and how to set one up.
QuestionsFrequently asked questions
Is a No. 4 or No. 5 plane better?
Neither: the No. 5 is more versatile for rough and general work, the No. 4 better for final smoothing.
What is a 5½ plane used for?
It is a wider, heavier jack plane for rougher work and wider surfaces.
How long is a Stanley No. 5?
About 14 in.
Can a jack plane be used as a smoother?
Yes, with a sharp, lightly cambered iron and a fine setting.
ReferencesSources
These are the pages and manuals the facts in this article come from. Where they disagree, we say so in the text.
- supertool.com/StanleyBG/stan1.htm
- www.handplane.com/76/stanley-no-5-12-plane
- thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/planes-for-the-beginner
- paulsellers.com/2012/12/on-the-stanley-4-12-bench-smoothing-plane-and-others
- paulsellers.com/2015/07/stanley-4-smoothing-plane-prices-continue-to-rise
- www.handplane.com/82/stanley-no-4-c-smooth-plane
- www.handplane.com/85/stanley-no-5-c-plane
Published 24 October 2026 · Written and fact-checked by the HeirloomID editors. Spotted an error? Tell us.
