Reply To: Stanley #4 1/2 type 19 restoration or junk?

On the sole photo there seems to be a low spot across the front side of the mouth.

If you want to use a plane as a smoother you should possibly keep on with the sole flattening until you eliminate that low spot.

You need the plane sole to press firmly the wood fibers right up to the mouth opening in order to reduce the possibility of tear out.