Finger Plane — Lutherie Encyclopedia

Finger PlaneType: toolA miniature hand plane essential for detail work on braces, bridges, and other small guitar components.## Description A finger plane is a diminutive hand plane, typically between 3 and 4 inches in length, designed to be held between the thumb and fingers rather than gripped with a full hand. The sole is flat or slightly convex, and the blade is set at a low angle, usually around 12 to 20 degrees. Quality finger planes are machined from brass or bronze with a hardened steel blade. ## Use in Lutherie Finger planes are indispensable for shaping braces on the top and back plates of acoustic guitars. After braces are glued in place, the luthier uses a finger plane to scallop and taper them, which directly affects the tonal response of the instrument. They are also used for fitting bridges, shaping saddle slots, and trimming binding flush with the body. The small size allows precise material removal in tight spaces where larger planes cannot reach. ## Selection Guide Look for a finger plane with a well-machined sole that sits perfectly flat on a reference surface. Brass-bodied planes from makers like Ibex, Lie-Nielsen, or Hock offer excellent quality. The blade should be easy to adjust and hold its edge well. Flat-soled versions are the most versatile, but a convex-soled variant is useful for hollowing scallops in braces. Budget around 30 to 80 dollars for a quality finger plane. Many luthiers own two or three with different sole profiles. ## Tips - Sharpen the blade to a mirror polish on the bevel for the cleanest cuts in spruce. - Take very light passes when scalloping braces to…