Celebrate 40 years of Beyond Tools with the limited-edition Soba Legacy Bench Plane range.

Made in India by Soba, these distinctive bench planes combine traditional bevel-down plane geometry with an innovative open-sided body, precision adjustment and repositionable handholds. Their substantial cast-iron soles provide stability and momentum, while the adjustable frog, blade-depth control and lateral adjustment allow the plane to be tuned for different timbers and cutting requirements.

Choose the compact No. 4 Smoothing Plane for fine finishing and end-grain trimming, or the longer No. 5 Jack Plane for general stock preparation, flattening and preparing timber for jointing.

These special-edition planes are expected to arrive during Q4 2026 and will be available in limited quantities.

Why Choose a Soba Legacy Plane?

• Distinctive open-sided Legacy construction
• Heavy cast-iron sole for stability and smooth cutting
• 50mm (2") steel plane iron
• Standard 45° bevel-down blade configuration
• Adjustable frog for controlling the mouth opening
• Fine blade-depth adjustment
• Lateral blade adjustment for aligning the cutting edge
• Adjustable front knob and rear tote positions
• Stainless-steel fittings
• Anodised aluminium side cheeks and front knob
• Solid timber rear tote
• Suitable for hardwood and softwood
• Supplied in a protective timber presentation case
• Made in India by Soba
• Beyond Tools 40th Anniversary Limited Edition

Available Models

No. 4 Legacy Smoothing Plane – 210010

The No. 4 Smoothing Plane is intended for the final stages of surface preparation after the timber has already been flattened.

Its shorter 250mm body follows small variations in the timber surface, allowing it to remove localised high spots and produce fine finishing shavings. With correct blade preparation and adjustment, it can leave a clean surface that requires little subsequent sanding.

The extra mass compared with many conventional No. 4 planes also helps the tool maintain momentum through dense or difficult timber.

Ideal for:

• Final surface smoothing
• Furniture and cabinetmaking
• Removing machining and tool marks
• Trimming and shooting end grain
• Working on smaller components
• Fine finishing of hardwood and softwood

No. 5 Legacy Jack Plane – 210015

The No. 5 Jack Plane is the longer, general-purpose option in the Legacy range.

Its 350mm cast-iron sole bridges more of the timber surface, making it better suited to flattening boards and preparing stock before final smoothing. It can be set for heavier material removal or adjusted to take finer shavings, making it one of the most versatile plane sizes for a woodworking bench.

Ideal for:

• Flattening timber boards
• General stock preparation
• Removing saw and machine marks
• Preparing edges before jointing
• Levelling larger surfaces
• General furniture and joinery work

Precision Blade Adjustment

Both models provide three important adjustments:

• Blade-depth adjustment: controls how far the cutting edge projects below the sole and therefore the thickness of the shaving.
• Lateral adjustment: aligns the cutting edge parallel with the mouth for an even shaving across the blade.
• Adjustable frog: changes the mouth opening. A narrow opening supports fine finishing cuts, while a wider opening accommodates thicker shavings during stock removal.

Adjustable Hand Placement

The front knob and rear tote can be repositioned to accommodate different hand sizes and working preferences.

This adjustable arrangement helps users find a secure and comfortable two-handed grip while maintaining control throughout the planing stroke.

Specifications

Which Plane Should I Choose?

Choose the 250mm No. 4 Smoothing Plane if your priority is producing a fine finished surface, removing localised high spots or trimming end grain.

Choose the 350mm No. 5 Jack Plane if you want a versatile general-purpose plane for flattening, preparing rough timber and working across larger surfaces.

Many woodworkers use both: the No. 5 first for preparation and flattening, followed by the No. 4 for the final finishing passes.

What’s Included?

• 1 × selected Soba Legacy bench plane
• 1 × 50mm steel plane iron
• Adjustable frog, chip breaker and lever-cap assembly
• Protective timber presentation case

Important Setup Information

Hand-plane irons benefit from inspection and final honing before first use. Blade projection, lateral alignment, frog position and mouth opening should be adjusted according to the timber and the required depth of cut.

Lightly oil exposed metal surfaces after use and store the plane in a dry environment to help prevent corrosion.

Limited-Edition Notice

Beyond Tools 40th Anniversary Limited Edition
This commemorative product is expected to arrive during Q4 2026. Availability will be limited and arrival dates may be subject to change.