Question about finishing wood: hand planing vs sanding

[Chris Fournier]

I respect and agree with this, Chris. But the OP asked if handplaning or scraping or sanding affects the quality of the wood after finished with an oil. To THAT, I say, no. I still have no takers on my proposed test.

Okay, a bit more on point then for the OP. If you are using any colour on your project I strongly recommend sanding as wood will take on colour (stain and dyes) more evenly if sanded rather than planed in my experience. My last sanding efforts before finish are usually a quick hand sand in the direction of the grain.

[Andy McKenzie]

This is making me feel better. I was concerned that the plane finish would have a different appearance in a bad way.

I know traditionally one would have a smoothing plane and a scraper but is there a difference between the two?

Also just to make sure will a plane finish work with a stain or would it need to be sanded for proper absorbtion of the stain?

I don't have much to add anywhere else, but I haven't seen a response to this yet.

From what I've read and my limited experience, a scraper is good for places where it's awkward to get a plane, or where the plane leaves a lot of tearout, such as around knots.

[glenn bradley]

If you read the Fine Woodworking article carefully, with each finish he put on just a light coat finish as a "sealer" and then sanded the surface. So all of the surfaces were sanded and it is no wonder that they all looked the same. When I criticised the method on another forum, one of the author's acquaintances wrote in that I should not be so hard on him because he was a young guy without much experience.

Thanks Warren. Good catch. I had glossed over that.

[Patrick Chase]

I don't have much to add anywhere else, but I haven't seen a response to this yet.

From what I've read and my limited experience, a scraper is good for places where it's awkward to get a plane, or where the plane leaves a lot of tearout, such as around knots.

Depends on how the scraper is set up.

A burr-less scraper abrades the surface somewhat, leading to an intermediate amount (between planing and sanding) of damage to the wood's structure.

A scraper with a sharp burr initially cuts the wood at an angle not all that much greater than a plane, and can leave a very nice surface in the right hands.

[Andy McKenzie]

Depends on how the scraper is set up.

I burr-less scraper abrades the surface somewhat, leading to an intermediate amount (between planing and sanding) of damage to the wood's structure.

A scraper with a sharp burr initially cuts the wood at an angle not all that much greater than a plane, and can leave a very nice surface in the right hands.

Fair. I was assuming with a sharp burr, since that's how I've always heard they ought to be used.