How to cut the lid of a box.

[Ben Ellenberger]

Cut open a box today. I just used a single pin to mark my line, then darkened it with a pencil. Worked each corner, taking my time to extend one direction at a time. Once all four corners were started I connected each end. Stuck little wedges in and used some tape to hold the lid on, then connected the cuts on the front and back. I was pretty happy with the outcome, it shouldn’t take much clean-up. Slow and steady!

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[Edward Weber]

Kerf Plane!!? That’s a thing? (Image searched commenced….yes, it’s a thing)
It reminds me of bumper bowling. Training wheels. Water wings.
All those things that are used to help someone get along for a bit while their skills come up to date.
I think it would help me cleanly complete this task.

They are used for much more than a training aide, I wouldn't categorize them that way. The styles with adjustable fences are quite versatile.
JMO

[Jack Dover]

I did a ton of stupid things in my life, using a plow plane for separating a lid was one of them. However, I think maybe a combination of a plow and sawing could work for someone who's not really great at sawing. Plowing a shallow groove outside, maybe 1/16" or even 1/8" would really help to keep saw straight. There are plows with 1/8" iron, that's totally enough for a kerf and cleanup.

[Jack Dover]

Yeah, was going to say that. For whatever reasons two lines help to saw in between them. Also this could be a tool problem, no matter how good you're at sawing, if a saw doesn't track well - it will go off the track. So I would also suggest finding a decent hardened tooth saw from a big box store, they usually set evenly by a machine and they generally track well. Then I would practice on scraps and compare how my other saw tracks.

Another trick is if you find yourself too much off is to just go back a little and start again (slightly twisting a tote for a saw to bit in) or just go from another end. But of course practice is what makes is perfect.

[Jack Dover]

I would use a plow plane with a fence and an 1/8" cutter in it.

You will have to plough through the endgrain and this is where you realize you need a plan B. But you will probably realize it earlier while messing with the clamps and the blocks to avoid blowouts.