Best hand planer?

[ctom87]

Woodworkers of TBH, I'm going to be purchasing my first hand planer. I'm specifically needing it to help flatten a workbench that I'm making. I'm assuming that a bench planer is typically the best planer to start off with, and I've read that a No. 5 is the one you'll use most often (correct me on this if you feel differently), but I'm unsure what brand to go with.

I always tend to go for value. I usually don't want the most expensive, but I do want the best quality/customer service. I buy Ridgid because to me, they're higher quality, maybe not as good as Milwaukee, but still good, and they have the lifetime service agreements on everything. So far they've held up their end of the bargain on that as well, so I'm a happy customer.

So... What recommendations do y'all have? Also, not looking for an electric hand planer, but I guess if you've got an argument to make for that over the other, I'd hear it out. Thanks in advance.

[sendit]

I would look at eBay and get you s vintage #5. I have several from my father and grandfather but planning on keeping them.

[mmoses]

I would either get a #5 stanley(vintage) or a Woodriver(woodcraft).

I about almost done refinishing my ebay stanley #5.

[mmoses]

this got me thinking....just picked up a stanley block plane.

[ctom87]

Literally had the same one in my hand Saturday. Looked very high quality. Stanley seems to be best option? How would you compare woodriver to Stanley?

[Shane]

A few years ago I bought an old Stanley on ebay. It was a little rusted, so it was pretty cheap. I cleaned it with electrolysis (google electrolysis with a battery charger for how-tos). Worked great. Whatever you do, make sure you get a quality tool. You want to be able to make those little thin curly shavings really easily.

[dannorocks]

Yeah a good ole Bailey No 5 would work great. Stanley eventually took over the 'Bailey' planes.

Sites like this have decent planes and don't do ebay bidding wars. I've bought planes and hand saws from them before an am happy with them.

http://www.sydnassloot.com/tools.htm

https://www.patented-antiques.com/Tools_StanPlanes.htm

I have a few planes.

[Brian77429]

Almost as important as the plane is how you plan to keep it sharp. Have a plan for that.

The above guys have good advice.

If you have the budget or plan to only use hand tools I like these. I think they are the best US made.

https://www.lie-nielsen.com/nodes/4065/bench-planes

[Hooverfb]

Quality go veritas or lie Nielsen. Git r done tool grab a Stanley. Looking for a vintage one,try to find an old Stanley.

[Ron Foley]

I have a #5 #4 and a #3 all good users Pm me if interested