Hand planes
Before I started woodworking, I always thought handplanes were a quirky part of the woodworking hobby, something that people collected but not commonly used. I bought one #4 plane from Harbor Freight during my cutting board project to help square up the strips. I figured it was a lot cheaper than buying a planer or other pieces of power equipment. In trying to make it actually work, I found out these are still serious tools, and lots of craftsman do really amazing woodworking by hand. While there are a number of YouTube channels dedicated to hand tool woodworking, the one I most recommend is Rex Kruger (YouTube). He has a bunch of great videos about restoring and using old and cheap tools, and does a great job explaining the how and why of these tools and techniques.
wood planes lined up on workbench
An inventory of my hand planes
From left to right in the photo above.
Harbor Freight block plane
Pretty much useless, occasionally use to knock off some sharp edges. Came with the #4 plane as a box set.
Dunlop block plane
Likely belonged to my grandfather, I found this still in the box in my dad's garage. I use this one regularly for trimming up the ends of boards.
Craftsman block plane
Very similar model, bought at an antique store near my parent's house before I knew about the one my dad had.
Harbor Freight No. 4 "Scrub" Plane
This was the first plane I bought and found impossible to use out of the box. (a plane, from harbor freight, that wasn't ready to go? you don't say...) I later gave the blade a heavy camber to use it as a scrub plane which it does really well at due to the wide throat.
Dunlop No. 4 Smoothing Plane
Likely belonged to my grandfather, kept in the original box for years. I love using this plane, it works really well for finishing a project. My dad pointed me to these after buying the Stanley #5 and Craftsman Block Plane.
Stanley No. 5 Jack Plane
Bought at an antique store near my parents house. This is really my "jack" of all trades plane, using it for everything from stock prep to planing edges for joints.