Please note... This Japanese block plane may need regular maintenance. Changing conditions like humidity and temperature fluctuations can affect the sole of the plane. Always check that the sole of the plane is flat. This can be corrected if necessary with sandpaper on a flat surface or a scraping iron. The plane blade is made of laminated steel, a process that is forged layer by layer, which gives it a long life. Adjusting this plane requires some attention and patience, but the end result is more than worth it.