#10 – Router Plane

WO-01-10 — Vol. 01 — Woodcraft

Router Plane Joinery Groove — The Rugged Tool for 3 Classic Woodworking Joints

Router plane joinery groove work demands rugged precision — flattening and levelling the bottom of grooves, dadoes, and recesses to a consistent depth that no chisel can reliably produce. The router plane makes this remarkable joinery groove work possible by riding its sole on the surrounding surface while its projecting blade works the bottom of the recess to a set depth.

Veritas router plane on workbench – traditional woodworking tool for leveling grooves and dadoes
A Veritas router plane used for flattening the bottom of grooves and dadoes. Alexmadon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Router plane in use on wooden workpiece – traditional hand tool for flattening grooves to precise depth
A router plane in use for leveling a groove in a wooden workpiece. John, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Stanley No. 71 router plane on wooden surface – classic woodworking hand tool for dado and groove work
A Stanley router plane No. 71, a classic hand tool for woodworking. J Jongsma, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
router plane - Grondschaaf Dutch router plane from Rijksdienst collection – traditional woodworking hand tool
A grondschaaf (router plane) from the collection of Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed. Ton Schollen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
router plane - Grondschaaf Dutch router plane detail view – traditional woodworking hand tool for groove leveling
Detail view of a grondschaaf (router plane) from the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed collection. Ton Schollen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

History of Router Plane Joinery Groove Work

Wooden router planes have been in use since the 17th century; iron versions appeared in the 19th century. As documented in Wikipedia’s router plane article, this rugged tool was essential in all router plane joinery groove work requiring a flat, consistent bottom — from enduring housing joints to hinge recesses.

How Router Plane Joinery Groove Work Works

The rugged router plane sole rides on the surface surrounding the groove, while the projecting blade works the bottom to a set depth. The blade is adjustable, allowing the craftsman to sneak up on the final depth in fine passes — the hallmark of remarkable router plane joinery groove work.

Router Plane Joinery Groove Work — 3 Classic Joints

Housing joints for shelving, tenon cheeks, and inlay recesses — 3 enduring joints that all benefit from the rugged router plane. See also Rabbet Plane — No. 09, which cuts the shoulder that router plane joinery groove work levels.

The Router Plane Today

The router plane has seen a remarkable revival — modern versions are used daily for rugged router plane joinery groove work in fine furniture and joinery workshops worldwide.

Definition

A plane with a narrow blade projecting below the sole, used to flatten and clean the bottom of grooves, dadoes, and recesses to a consistent depth. The sole rides on the surrounding wood surface while the blade works the bottom of the recess. Sometimes called the 'old woman's tooth' from its distinctive shape.

Terminology

GermanGrundhobel / Gründhobel
EnglishRouter Plane / Old Woman's Tooth / Granny's Tooth

Regional Variants

EN: Router plane, Old woman's tooth, Granny's tooth, Hand router — DE: Grundhobel, Gründhobel — FR: Guillaume à recaler, Guimbarde — NL: Grondhobel — SE: Grundhyvel — DK: Grundhøvl

Professional Users

Joiners, cabinetmakers, furniture makers, pattern makers, instrument makers

Period / Era

Wooden versions from the 17th century; iron versions from the 19th century; still widely used in hand-tool woodworking

Available as an archival print — Heritage Tools Archive Vol. 01 — Woodcraft