Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor vs Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No.
Both made our Best Wood Hand Planes 2026 shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch if you want a2 tool steel holds an edge significantly longer than the older Stanley carbon steel blades. Choose the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4 if you'd rather have grey cast iron body machined and ground for flatness -- minimal lapping needed out of the box. Overall we rank the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Wood Hand Planes 2026 list.
Winner overall: Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch
Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch vs Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4 compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute | ||
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 8 in Best Wood Hand Planes 2026 | #3 of 8 in Best Wood Hand Planes 2026 |
| Pick label | Best Overall | Best Mid Range |
| Brand | Stanley | Kunz |
| Key features | No. 5 size, 14-inch sole; A2 tool steel blade; Blade bedded at 45 degrees | Ductile iron body; O1 tool steel blade; Precision ground sole |
| Biggest strength | A2 tool steel holds an edge significantly longer than the older Stanley carbon steel blades | Grey cast iron body machined and ground for flatness -- minimal lapping needed out of the box |
| Main trade-off | Blade requires sharpening before first use, out-of-the-box edge is adequate but not sharp | Less brand recognition in the US than Stanley |
| Best for | buyers who want the best overall package | Most buyers |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick · Best Overall
Choose the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch if…
- A2 tool steel holds an edge significantly longer than the older Stanley carbon steel blades
- Adjustable frog lets you close the mouth for fine work and open it for hogging stock
- 14-inch sole handles both stock removal and preliminary smoothing
Best for: buyers who want the best overall package
Prefer the alternative? See the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4 section.
#3 pick · Best Mid Range
Choose the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4 if…
- Grey cast iron body machined and ground for flatness -- minimal lapping needed out of the box
- Precision-ground sole handles final surface preparation and glue line cleanup
- Stable, chatter-free foundation for demanding smoothing work
Prefer the alternative? See the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch section.
Pros and cons of each
Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch
Pros
- A2 tool steel holds an edge significantly longer than the older Stanley carbon steel blades
- Adjustable frog lets you close the mouth for fine work and open it for hogging stock
- 14-inch sole handles both stock removal and preliminary smoothing
- Sweetheart series has better sole flatness than earlier Stanley production runs
Cons
- Blade requires sharpening before first use, out-of-the-box edge is adequate but not sharp
- Cap iron fit needs adjustment on some units, check the fit before first use
Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4
Pros
- Grey cast iron body machined and ground for flatness -- minimal lapping needed out of the box
- Precision-ground sole handles final surface preparation and glue line cleanup
- Stable, chatter-free foundation for demanding smoothing work
- Better fit and finish than comparable price points from generic import brands
Cons
- Less brand recognition in the US than Stanley
- Replacement parts less widely stocked than Stanley-pattern parts
Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch vs Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4: common questions
Which is better, the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch or the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4?
Choose the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch if you want a2 tool steel holds an edge significantly longer than the older Stanley carbon steel blades. Choose the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4 if you'd rather have grey cast iron body machined and ground for flatness -- minimal lapping needed out of the box. Overall we rank the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Wood Hand Planes 2026 list.
What is the difference between the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch and the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4?
The Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch stands out because a2 tool steel holds an edge significantly longer than the older Stanley carbon steel blades, while the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4 stands out because grey cast iron body machined and ground for flatness -- minimal lapping needed out of the box. The trade-offs differ too: the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch's main caveat is that blade requires sharpening before first use, out-of-the-box edge is adequate but not sharp, and the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4's is that less brand recognition in the US than Stanley.
Is the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch worth it over the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4 instead if blade requires sharpening before first use, out-of-the-box edge is adequate but not sharp is a deal-breaker for you.
Who should buy the Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4 instead of the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch?
The Kunz Plus Smoothing Plane No. 4 suits buyers whose priorities match its strengths, while the Stanley 12-905 No. 4 Contractor Grade Smoothing Bench Plane, 14-Inch is best for buyers who want the best overall package.