Clifton No. 5 – Jack Plane

The Clifton No. 5 is a jack plane, one of the most versatile tools in woodworking. Used for initial wood preparation, it allows for roughing, straightening, and approximating surfaces to the final measurement before finishing.

With a 50 mm wide blade, the No. 5 occupies an intermediate position between roughing and finishing planes, and is often considered a "universal" plane on the workbench.

Manufactured in Sheffield by Thomas Flinn & Co. under the Clifton brand, this planer combines traditional construction with high-precision machining, offering robustness, stability, and consistent performance.

Like other Clifton planes, it comes practically ready to use straight out of the box, although many woodworkers prefer to sharpen the iron before first use.

Construction and materials

The body and frame are made of high-quality gray cast iron, with all critical surfaces meticulously machined. The sole and sides are precision ground, ensuring stability and smooth gliding over wood.

The rear handle and front button are made of carefully shaped, sanded, and sealed walnut, providing comfort and control during work.

The cutting iron is produced from cryogenically treated O1 steel, hardened to between 60–62 HRC , and approximately 3 mm thick , ensuring rigidity and stability during cutting. The one-piece counter-iron guarantees a firm and effective fixation.

Several components are manufactured from polished brass and polished stainless steel , including the adjustment wheel and screws, ensuring durability and smooth operation over time.

Bedrock System

Clifton planes use a system based on the well-known Bedrock design, originally developed for older Stanley planes. In this system, the frog sits on a fully machined surface in the plane body, creating an extremely stable base for the cutting iron.

This construction increases the rigidity of the assembly and allows for more controlled cuts, reducing vibrations and improving the quality of the work.

Another advantage of this system is that it allows adjusting the planer jaw opening without disassembling the iron assembly , making it easier to fine-tune the tool according to the type of cut or wood.

Main features

– Jack planer, versatile for preparing and smoothing wood.
– Width of the iron: 50 mm (2″)
– Cryogenically treated O1 steel iron
– Iron hardness: 60–62 HRC
– Iron thickness: 3 mm
– Body made of precision-machined gray cast iron
Walnut handles
– Components made of polished brass and stainless steel
– Bedrock-type frog system for greater stability
– Precise adjustment of the mouth opening
– Made in Sheffield, England