Historically the term Block Plane has a few different origins. It is said a Block Plane was first created as a plane that could be easily held in one hand while planing across the grain, particularly on end grain of boards, know in the past by carpenters as 'Blocking in'. Our range of Clifton and Veritas Block Planes are beautifully engineered tools with an option of O1 or PMV-11 blades.