Japanese Hand Plane Setup & Use

In this 4-day class Andrew covers everything you need to know about Japanese hand planes. What seems like a simple tool, a blade and a block of wood, the Japanese plane (Kanna) is actually a complex, sophisticated instrument with many subtle qualities. The first challenge most woodworkers face when learning to use a Kanna is that they don’t come ready to use out of the box. You are only supplied with great ingredients, and it is up to the user to get the fit between the blade and the block just right. 

You'll learn and carry out the complete setup and use of Japanese planes in this class. You will receive a new plane, which you can either purchase from Andrew on the first day for $200, or you can order one or bring yours, if you have one already. If this is your first Japanese plane, Andrew recommends starting with this 54mm Yamamoto plane. If you have already taken Andrew's plane class 1 or if you have experience setting up a new plane, he recommends this 65mm yamamoto plane.  

Andrew will work with you to get your new plane into working order. He will cover sharpening and shaping the blade, fitting the blade to the block, fitting and adjusting the chip breaker and profiling the sole for optimal performance. Of course, you will also spend time using your new plane, learning to work with your whole body, not just your arms. By the conclusion of this class, each student will take home a fully operational Japanese hand plane and have the knowhow to keep it working correctly.

Dates: Fri. - Mon., June 5-8, 9 AM - 5 PM
Instructor: Andrew Hunter
Class size (max.): 7
Attendance (min.): 4*
Skill level: beginner/intermediate
Prerequisites: none

Registration
Household Member & Above: $620**
Individual Member: $655**
General Public: $689
Register By: May 24

*Classes that do not meet the minimum attendance number may be cancelled or rescheduled. If so, you will receive a full refund, or class credit, regardless of the cancellation date.

**We encourage you to become a member to receive discounted class tuition. You must be a current member on the date of registering to receive your discount. Please login to activate your member discount. To become a new member, please sign up here, or call 845-338-0071.

Instructor: Andrew Hunter is a former college athlete who gets his exercise these days working wood with hand tools, playing volleyball, and doing tai chi. He’s largely self-taught in furniture making, but spent time with millwright Jim Kricker reproducing period waterwheels and timber-frame buildings. He now specializes in Japanese and Chinese woodworking and joinery techniques.