Reply To: No 4 vs 4 1/2
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There’s no initial advantage with the #4 1/2. The gain in speed on wider boards is not free, as it would be with machines. You have to input increased effort. They’re heavier and harder to get started and to push. On wider boards, the wider cutting-irons take larger shavings, meaning greater forward resistance all the time. They’re harder to stop at the end of each stroke. You need to arrest that momentum at the end of every stroke and pull that heavier plane back to the start. You will notice the difference.
On wide boards, you’ll have two tough strokes with a #4 1/2, versus three, easy strokes of a #4.
For narrow stock, chamfers, and single-handed use, the #4 1/2 is a little more awkward to balance and keep level.
The #4 1/2 is the widest of all. Even for experienced tradesmen with arms like Popeye, that’s the maximum. We’re not aiming for tradesman speeds, it’s a hobby. How often are you planing wide boards anyway? Most planing is on strips of wood suited to the widths of #3 or #4.
I’m not saying “don’t get a #4 1/2”. You’ll certainly want to get one later-on, you may even prefer it, I’m just suggesting a #3 or #4 is a better place to start.