The best hand planes for beginners is a block plane. It’s affordable (often under $40), small enough to control with one hand, and useful for the tasks beginners actually encounter: easing sharp edges, trimming end grain, and fine-tuning joints. Once you’re working with larger panels or glued-up surfaces, add a jack plane as your second tool. Key Takeaways A block plane is the single best first purchase for beginner woodworkers, versatile, affordable, and easy to learn on…