Hock Replacement Plane Iron for Older No. 5 1/2 Planes, A2 Steel

Yes, Hock plane irons fit 99.9% of Stanley and Record style planes with no changes other than a simple frog adjustment. The blades are 3/32" thick and 7" long.

Choose the blade by the number of your plane:
No. 3
No. 4 and 5
No. 4 1/2, 5 1/2, 6 and 7
No. 8
Older No. 5 1/2 planes have their own blade

Because the Hock blade is thicker than the original, the mouth may need adjusting with the frog.

Hock makes its plane irons in two types of steel:

O1 – high-carbon steel that is easier to hone and gets sharper
A2 – cryogenically treated tool steel that holds an edge longer

Both are a big improvement on the thin blades supplied with many new planes. A2 is recommended for hard and abrasive materials, such as bamboo. If you sharpen often and want the keenest edge, O1 is a good choice.

You do not have to, but it often gives a noticeable improvement. Hock cap irons are 3 mm thick, almost twice as thick as a standard chip breaker. The extra thickness stabilises the blade's cutting edge and reduces vibration and chatter.

A knurled cap screw is included. Choose the cap iron for the same plane number as the blade, and they will match.

There are several good ways to sharpen chisels and plane irons: water stones, diamond stones, oil stones and sharpening machines such as Tormek. All give sharp edges, but they differ in speed, maintenance and price.

A honing guide makes it easier to keep the same angle every time. The most important thing is to find a method you enjoy and use often. The guide helps you choose.

Read the guide here

Planes of cast iron and steel rust easily, especially in unheated workshops and from moisture on your hands. Wipe the plane after use and protect bare surfaces with a thin layer of wax or oil that will not mark the wood.

Store your planes dry, ideally in a plane sock or box. If rust has already formed, the guide shows how to clean and protect them.

Read the guide here

A new replacement iron can make an old plane better than it was when new. To find the right one, measure the iron's width, thickness and slot dimensions, and check whether the plane has a cap iron and what kind of adjuster it has.

A thicker iron chatters less but may require the mouth to be adjusted. The guide shows how to measure and choose correctly. You can also send us a photo of the iron with a rule beside it, and we will help you. We do not sell adjusting screws or other spare parts for old Stanley planes.

Read the guide here