Another of my Soviet-made planes is this smoothing plane, a curious example of Soviet woodworking tools that seem to borrow design cues from Western makers, but don’t quite follow them exactly.
At first glance, I thought it might have been based on the Stanley No. 10 scrub plane. However, the dimensions don’t match, the blade is not cambered, and the mouth opening is too small for a scrub plane. After closer inspection, it’s clear that this one was intended simply as a smoothing plane.
Details and Construction
- Length: 9 7/8 inches
- Width: 2 3/8 inches
- Blade Width: 1 7/8 inches
- Body: Cast iron, painted green, with a cast support for the iron (no separate frog)
- Lever Cap: Simple design – fits between the iron and crosspiece, tightened with a screw
- Iron: Black finish; the top surface of the lower third is machined slightly thinner and left unpainted
- Sole: Slightly hollow along the centre line, with a high area around the mouth
- Mouth Opening: ¼ inch x 2 1/16 inches
Despite its somewhat rough finish, it’s a solid and functional little plane — typical of Soviet hand tools from the later production years. The green paint gives it a distinct identity, and while it doesn’t match any specific Western pattern perfectly, it stands on its own as an interesting example of Soviet toolmaking.