Replacement Plane Blade — Japanese Laminated Blue Paper Steel

Upgrade your hand plane with a blade engineered for exceptional sharpness, durability, and ease of maintenance. Designed to fit Stanley-style No. 4 and No. 5 hand planes, this replacement blade works with vintage Stanley, Bedrock, Record, and other classic models, as well as modern manufacturers including Lie-Nielsen, Lee Valley Veritas, and WoodRiver—so you can drop it into the tools you already trust. (Does not include chip-breaker). 

Hand-crafted the traditional Japanese way

Each blade is made using the same time-honored methods behind renowned Japanese edge tools—from chisels and traditional plane irons to katana and premium chef’s knives. The cutting edge is of the famous Blue Paper Steel laminated to a softer mild-steel body, delivering a micro-fine yet durable edge and extraordinary performance beyond common western tool steels like A2 and O1.  

Performance you can feel

• Ultra-fine, ultra-sharp edge. Careful and repeated heat-treating and annealing refine the Blue Paper Steel’s grain structure so the edge can be honed to an extremely keen razor finish.   
• Outstanding edge retention. Harder than O1, A2, and PM-V11, it holds its edge for a long time without sacrificing ease of sharpening. 
• Toughness without brittleness. Laminating the hard (and naturally brittle) cutting steel to mild steel strengthens the blade, making it tough and durable, and greatly reduces the risk of chipping or cracking.  
• Faster sharpening. The mild-steel backing means less ultra-hard steel to grind and polish, cutting sharpening time while keeping costs in check.  
• Expertly hand-made. These blades aren’t mass-produced; they are crafted by highly experienced blacksmiths who have mastered the metallurgy of fine woodworking edges. 

Compatibility

• Pattern: Stanley-style No. 4 and No. 5 hand planes (vintage and modern).  
• Examples: Vintage Stanley, Bedrock, Record; modern makers like Lie-Nielsen, Lee Valley Veritas, and WoodRiver.  

What makes Blue Paper Steel special?

Blue Paper Steel is prized for producing some of the finest cutting edges in the world. It’s harder and features a finer grain than typical western tool steels (like O1 and A2), enabling a keener edge that stays sharp longer. When laminated to mild steel, you get the performance of elite steel with the durability and sharpening speed you need day-to-day.

FAQs

Will it fit my plane?
If your handplane follows the Stanley No. 4 or No. 5 pattern, whether vintage (Stanley, Bedrock, Record) or modern (Lie-Nielsen, Lee Valley Veritas, WoodRiver), this blade is designed to drop in. Blade is 50mm wide x 180mm long x 2.5mm thick.

Is a chip-breaker included?
No—this listing is for the blade only. Use your existing chip-breaker or an aftermarket unit. 

Is it hard to sharpen?
Despite its high hardness, Blue Paper Steel’s fine grain structure lets it sharpen cleanly. The mild-steel backing reduces the amount of ultra-hard steel you need to grind, so honing is faster than you’d expect.

Blades require sharpening upon arrival before use.