Razee plane explained

A razee plane is a style of wooden hand plane which has a section of its rear cut away, so that the plane has a lower handle. This design makes the plane lighter, with a lower centre of mass, and puts the handle closer to the workpiece and cutting edge – giving the user greater control.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Use

Historically, because they are lighter and easier to control, razee planes were often used in school and training workshops.

Despite their advantages razee planes are not as common, likely because they were originally slightly more expensive to buy.^[4]

Etymology

The name razee may be derived from the historic razee ship conversion, in which a wooden sailing ship is modified by removing upper decks to lower the ship's centre of mass.

Notes and References

1. Book: Hack, Garrett. The Handplane Book. The Taunton Press Inc.. 1997. 1-56158-155-0. Newtown, Connecticut, USA. 90. 36543361.
2. Book: Salaman, R. A.. Dictionary of tools used in the woodworking and allied trades, c. 1700-1970. Scribner. Internet Archive. 1975. 978-0-684-14535-8. New York. 333.
3. Book: Dunbar, Michael. Restoring, Tuning & Using Classic Woodworking Tools. Sterling Pub. Co.. Internet Archive. 1989. 978-0-8069-6670-0. New York, USA. 41–42.
4. Book: Sellens, Alvin. Woodworking Planes: A Descriptive Register of Wooden Planes. Sellens. Internet Archive. 1978. Augusta, Kansas, USA. 18.