This design makes the plane lighter, with a lower centre of mass, and puts the handle closer to the workpiece and cutting edge – giving the user greater control.

[1][2][3] Historically, because they are lighter and easier to control,[compared to?]

razee planes were often used in school and training workshops.

[1][2] Despite their advantages razee planes are not as common, likely because they were originally slightly more expensive to buy.

][4][1] The name razee may be derived from the historic razee ship conversion, in which a wooden sailing ship is modified by removing upper decks to lower the ship's centre of mass.