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How to use a Rali plane

Updated: 24 October 2026

The plane is on the bench, the red lever is up, and the first shaving is where people cut a finger or trench a door edge. How to use a Rali plane is three controls that look similar and are not. The lever sets depth and parks the blade. The chipbreaker is a second knob on some models only. The mouth is a screw you will not find on a 105 or a Pocket. Rows and prices are on the [Rali plane comparison](/hub/hand-tools/rali-plane). Peter F. wrote this on 22 October 2026 from the UK shop's technology guide and these listings. The chip figures are the maker's. A qualifying purchase can earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.

The plane is on the bench, the red lever is up, and the first shaving is where people cut a finger or trench a door edge. How to use a Rali plane is three controls that look similar and are not.

Our top picks

Rali Rali 260 Evolution N

Best overall

Rali Rali 260 Evolution N
7.5/10about £178.66
View offer
Rali Rali 105 Monobloc

Rank 2

Rali Rali 105 Monobloc
9.5/10about £46.31
View offer
Rali Rali 105 Evolution N

Alternative

Rali Rali 105 Evolution N
7.4/10about £104.08
View offer
On this page
  1. 1.The red lever
  2. 2.Flip or replace the blade
  3. 3.Chipbreaker and mouth
  4. 4.Before the first shaving

The red lever

Put the lever fully up before anything else. On the UK technology guide that position retracts the blade and is the change position. Horizontal is the maker's fine cut, about 0.05 mm. Fully down is the roughing cut, about 0.5 mm. Those numbers are Rali's. On a heavy-sole plane the back plate is the second depth control. The 105 Evolution N names depth and a chipbreaker. The 260 Evolution N names depth, the chipbreaker and the mouth. The 105 Monobloc names the lever only. If the bullets stop there, do not hunt for a wheel you were not sold. If the plane is work equipment in Great Britain, PUWER 1998 is the employer's duty. A hobbyist at home is outside it. Which body you bought is on the Rali plane buying guide.

Flip or replace the blade

You cannot flip the blade until the lever is fully up. Lift the latch, raise the holder, lift the cap, turn the blade or fit a new one, and close the cap. Retract the blade again before the plane goes down. The blade in the box is chrome. Carbide is a separate buy in the same width. A 48 mm blade fits the 105, the 220 and the 260. A 30 mm blade fits the Pocket, the G03, the G30 and the B30. The current UK shop sheet says the blade is not resharpenable. Honing a Bailey is the other tool, on Rali plane vs traditional plane.
Rali Rali 260 Evolution N

Testsieger

Rali Rali 260 Evolution N
7.5/10about £178.66
View offer

Chipbreaker and mouth

The chipbreaker keeps the shaving from tearing, and only the planes that name it have it. The 105 Evolution N names depth and the chipbreaker. The 260 Evolution N and the 260 Evolution B name them too. The Monobloc names the lever. Turning a screw you do not have strips a plane for a feature that was never in the box. The maker describes a movable mouth for the 220, the 260 and the large G30. The amazon 260 Evolution N puts a small wrench in the handle. Loosen the front sole, move it a few millimetres, and retighten. The 105 and the Pocket do not describe that screw, and the G03 page calls the mouth fixed. If green wood packs a 105, lighten the lever or stop.

Before the first shaving

Look along the edge before you cut. One of two reviews of the 105 Evolution B, from Germany, says the blade arrived skewed, could not be adjusted, and was returned. That is one text, not a rate, and not a UK review. If the edge will not sit parallel, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 is the returns question. Forcing the holder will not square it. Then take one pass on softwood with the lever horizontal. You want a shaving you can see through, and you retract the lever before the plane goes down. Stop and get a joiner if the door is twisted, the sole is bent, or a seated blade and a shallow lever still will not start.

Common questions

Which way does the red lever go for a finer cut?
Fully up parks the blade. Horizontal is the maker's fine cut, about 0.05 mm, and fully down is the roughing cut, about 0.5 mm. On a heavy-sole plane the back plate comes forward for the fine cut. Those figures are Rali's. Start on scrap at horizontal.
How do I change the blade without slicing a finger?
Lever fully up, lift the latch, raise the holder, lift the cap, turn or replace the blade, and close in reverse. Both edges cut. Keep the spare edge away from your pinch. Retract the blade again before you put the plane down. Chrome is the blade in the box. A 48 mm blade and a 30 mm blade are not the same part.
What is the chipbreaker knob for?
It is the second setting on the planes that list it, including the 105 Evolution N and the 260 Evolution N. It controls the shaving. The 105 Monobloc listing names depth by lever and does not name that knob. If the knob is absent, the lever is the whole adjustment you were sold.
My plane packs up on green wood. What now?
Take a lighter cut with the lever toward horizontal, and clear the mouth. A 220, a 260 or a large G30 can move the front sole a few millimetres with the key. A 105 or a Pocket has no such screw. Lighten the cut or stop. Do not drill a throat.
Can I sharpen the blade instead of flipping it?
The current UK shop sheet says the blade is not resharpenable. Flip it, then replace it with the same width, chrome or a carbide swap you buy separately. An older article that mentioned a jig is not the current shop line. Honing a Bailey iron is a different plane.
The edge looks skewed out of the box. What should I do?
Do not take the first cut. One German review of the 105 Evolution B returned the plane because the blade arrived skewed and could not be adjusted. That is one of two reviews, not a rate. If the edge will not sit parallel, treat it as a returns question under the Consumer Rights Act, not as a setup step.

Related pages

Rali rebate plane

Rali plane

Best Rali plane in this set, and which rows to skip

Rali plane buying guide: which width and which sole

Rali plane vs traditional plane: hone or flip the blade

Sources

Sources from the research digest. Listing prices and stars are the amazon.co.uk figures captured on 22 October 2026.

  1. Rali UK plane index (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  2. Rali UK 105 comparison (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  3. Rali UK technology guide (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  4. Rali UK hand plane blades (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  5. Rali G03 sheet, code 105715 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  6. PUWER 1998 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  7. PUWER (NI) 1999 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  8. HSE L114 (retrieved 22 October 2026)
  9. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9 (retrieved 22 October 2026)