When starting to plane, push forward while applying pressure downward on the ___ (front).

When starting to plane, push forward while applying pressure downward on the ___ (front).

• A. Nose
• B. Toe
• C. Cap
• D. Heel

Answer: (B)

Starting a planing stroke hinges on how the plane first engages the wood. As you push the plane forward, press downward on the toe—the front of the plane. This front-down force keeps the nose from lifting, helps the blade bite smoothly at the start, and stabilizes the plane so you get a clean, even shaving from the very first pass. If you press on the heel, the back end can dig in or the front can lift, leading to chatter or an uneven start. The toe is the correct reference for this initial contact point, and the other terms don’t describe where to apply pressure at the start.

Starting a planing stroke hinges on how the plane first engages the wood. As you push the plane forward, press downward on the toe—the front of the plane. This front-down force keeps the nose from lifting, helps the blade bite smoothly at the start, and stabilizes the plane so you get a clean, even shaving from the very first pass. If you press on the heel, the back end can dig in or the front can lift, leading to chatter or an uneven start. The toe is the correct reference for this initial contact point, and the other terms don’t describe where to apply pressure at the start.