Stanley · No. 4 · 1869–1984
The No. 4 is the standard smoothing plane, 9 inches long with a 2-inch iron, and Patrick Leach credits it and the No. 5 with making Stanley's fortune. Stanley made it from 1869 to 1984, and it's the plane that takes the last shavings before finish. Leach says many woodworkers have their first plane epiphany watching the curls come out of one. Christopher Schwarz calls it the most common smoother size, and Popular Woodworking's basic kit for new furniture makers starts with a No. 4-sized smoother, a No. 7 jointer and a low-angle block plane. So many were made that you can find one from almost any year, and the Type Study dates it from a few photos. Stanley also sold a corrugated 4C, an aluminum A4 that Leach says marks the wood and was a flop, and a pressed-steel S4 advertised for shops with concrete floors.
Identify and date it
It shares its 2-inch iron width with the No. 5 and is an inch shorter than the wider 10-inch No. 4½. A No. 4C has factory grooves along the sole, an A4 is aluminum (a magnet won't stick), and an S4 has a bent steel body stamped No. S4 at the toe. Stanley's Bed Rock version is the No. 604.
Type Study sweet spot
Types 10–16 (about 1907–1941) have the features most users want.
The type study is written around the No. 4, so every feature in it applies. Count the patent dates cast behind the frog, two for Types 9–10, three for Types 11–12 and one for Types 13–14. Type 12 brought the high knob around 1920, Type 14 the raised ring around the knob base, and Type 16 (1933) the kidney-shaped lever cap hole. Blue paint means Type 20, 1962 on.
If you’ll use it
A No. 4 from the rosewood-and-brass years with a frog adjusting screw makes a fine smoother once the iron is sharp. Leach doesn't think the sole has to be perfectly flat, only free of twist and of nicks that stand proud.
If you’ll collect it
Collectors look for complete early Types, an intact 1920s tote decal and the scarcer A4 and S4.
Cracked or welded castings around the mouth are the deal breaker. Broken tote horns, split knob bases on high-knob planes made before the raised ring, seized depth nuts and thick modern irons that needed the mouth filed wider are the everyday faults.
Buying guide
For a No. 4 to use, buy a complete plane from the rosewood-and-brass years with a clean mouth, and you'll pay about $40–65 delivered. About 160 are listed, and most complete ones ask $55–90 delivered. Early Types claiming two or three patent dates ask about $80–110 delivered, and that extra is collector money. Zoom in on the mouth and cheeks for cracks or welds, look for a broken tote horn or a split knob base, and count the patent dates behind the frog against any Type in the title. Skip the restoration plane, which costs more than a complete one, and the $125 Type 18.
$20.65est. delivered
A Type 13 the seller calls in great condition, at about $21 delivered with one bid and six days left. Fixed-price No. 4s start near $40 delivered, so we'd stop at about $25 bid.
Stanley No.4 Type 13 Smoothing Plane In Great Condition
$48.74est. delivered
The title's one patent date and Sweetheart iron both fit Types 13–14, the rosewood-and-brass years users want, at about $49 delivered, under the $55–90 band. Ask for photos of the mouth and of the date cast behind the frog.
Stanley Number 4 Plane, One Patent Date, Sweetheart Iron
$85.23est. delivered
A Type 9 per the title, the first Type with patent dates behind the frog, at about $85 delivered and inside the band. Ask for a photo showing the two cast dates, and compare the japanning on the frog and body.
Stanley Bailey No. 4 Type 9 Bench Plane 1907-1909 Two Patent Dates Vintage #4
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$20.65est. delivered
$5.00 + $15.65 shipping
Auction · 1 bid · ends in 6d 9h
Good buy
Type 13, great condition per the title. One bid, six days left.
Seller: hon_9239
100% positive
Used$48.74est. delivered
$39.88 + $8.86 shipping
Buy It Now$39.88
Good buy
One patent date and a Sweetheart iron per the title, which fits Types 13–14.
Seller: stockupess_53
99.2% positive
Used$85.23est. delivered
$71.24 + $13.99 shipping
Buy It Now$71.24
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Good buy
Type 9 with two patent dates per the title.
Seller: rgiao
100% positive
Used$41.40est. delivered
$35.00 + $6.40 shipping
Buy It Now$35.00
Our take
Plain 9-inch smooth-bottom No. 4. No Type or condition in the title.
Seller: theyellowcottage
100% positive
For parts$47.30est. delivered
$25.00 + $22.30 shipping
Buy It Now$25.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Our take
Sold for restoration or parts, and it costs more delivered than complete No. 4s here.
Seller: brbac_9490
99.7% positive
Used$80.00est. delivered
$69.00 + $11.00 shipping
Buy It Now$69.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
With its original box per the title. No Type given.
Seller: isellweirdthings
100% positive
Used$52.99est. delivered
$40.00 + $12.99 shipping
Buy It Now$40.00
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Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
Used$125.17est. delivered
$110.00 + $15.17 shipping
Buy It Now$110.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
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Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Priced high
Type 18 per the title, about $35 over the top of the band with no reason given.
Seller: vintageis4
100% positive
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