Rethinking Router Plane Blades: A Sharpening Solution That Actually Works

Router planes are a woodworker’s best friend when it comes to creating flat-bottomed grooves and recesses. But let’s be honest—sharpening their L-shaped blades has always felt more like a hazing ritual than a straightforward task. Who among us hasn’t muttered a few choice words while trying to get that tiny, awkward edge razor-sharp?

The Struggle Was Real

For years, I wrestled with this sharpening conundrum. My “go-to” method involved balancing a water stone on its edge and hanging the blade off the side. Sure, it kind of worked, but no matter how hard I tried, the edge never felt as sharp as it could be, and I always ended up settling.

It was a tedious dance between creativity and frustration, and honestly, I was starting to think router plane blades were just nature’s way of keeping woodworkers humble.

Enter the Game-Changer

Then, someone at MTC (probably a genius who deserves free coffee for life) asked a question that rocked the woodworking world—or at least my corner of it: “Why are router plane blades shaped like an L? Couldn’t they just be straight, like a chisel?”

Cue the sound of angels singing. It was one of those forehead-slapping moments when you realize the answer was staring us in the face all along. It’s as if someone finally said, “Hey, let’s stop using a spoon to cut steak and grab a knife.”

Straight Blades: Simple, Sharp, and Sanity-Saving

Inspired by this brilliant question, MTC decided to ditch the L-shaped tradition and design straight blades. And let me tell you, this is the upgrade we didn’t know we needed. Straight blades can be sharpened using regular methods—no gymnastics or improvised techniques required. You can sharpen them by hand, with a jig, or even blindfolded while reciting woodworking puns (though I wouldn’t recommend the latter).

Not only does this new design make sharpening a breeze, but it also results in an edge that’s sharper than a dad joke on Father’s Day. The improved sharpness translates to smoother, cleaner surfaces in your work, and let’s face it, fewer exasperated groans in your shop.

The Moral of the Story

Sometimes, the simplest questions lead to the most profound solutions. By reimagining the router plane blade, MTC has turned a frustrating chore into a quick, efficient task. Now, sharpening feels less like an Olympic sport and more like a step toward woodworking nirvana.

So, the next time you’re struggling with an outdated tool design, just remember: somewhere, someone at MTC asked, “Why not?” And because of that, we can all spend less time sharpening and more time making sawdust.