When used effectively it quickly produces a finish that equals or surpasses that made by sandpaper.

[4] As with other bench planes, until the end of the 19th century the bodies of smoothing planes were predominantly wooden, typically made out of beech (Fagus sylvatica in Europe, Fagus grandifolia in North America).

[4] Since the 1700s wooden smoothing planes have predominantly been 'coffin shaped' – wider in the middle and slightly rounded – making them more manoeuvrable.

[2][4] It has also been claimed that the coffin design exposes more end grain, enabling the plane to better adjust to changes in humidity.

[6]: 139 The irons (blades) on smoothing planes are often slightly rounded at the corners to minimise the risk of gouging out tracks or marks in the workpiece, and on a metal plane the throat or mouth is usually set tight to reduce the risk of tearout.