Quite frequently, I get asked about the various names that are given to long bench planes, both vintage woooden planes and also to the more modern metal types, which can seem confusing to the un-initiated woodworker.

From personal research, I understand that the term 'jointer' was certainly being used in England from the seventeenth century, and maybe even earlier, to describe any bench planes that were over the length of 20 inches long.

Bench planes between 13 inches and 18 inches long were generally referred to as 'jack or 'fore' planes, both terms common in use today.

At some point in the early ninteenth century, the other terms o 'trying' or 'long trying' plane were described in the manufacturers literature of the likes of, William Marples in their 1862 catalogue, and earlier by Holtzapffel in 1846.

They both list :-

Trying planes as being 20" or 22"

Long Trying planes as 24" or 26"

Jointer planes 28" or 30", and even longer by special request order.

In the late 1800's, the terms 'trying' and 'long trying' wentout of use, with the earlier term of 'jointer' being used to cover the whole range of long bench planes.

According to Peter Nicholson in his 1832 text, The Mechanic's Companion, He states that the purpose of the 'try' planes is to

"... reduce the ridges made by the jack plane and to staighten stuff. For this purpose it is both longer and broader, the edge of the iron is less convex, and set with less projection, than the jack...".

And, that, the 'jointer' plane

"... is principally for planing straight edges of boards, so as to make them join together, this operation is called 'shooting' and the edge itself is said to be 'shot'... the shaving is taken the whole length in finishing the joint or narrow surface..."

"...trueing-up the edges and surfaces of long boards, perfectly straight, so that their juncture may be scarely discernible when their surfaces are joined together..."

It is also believed that the term 'trying' was a corruption or derivation of the word 'truing'.

A further comment on the difference between trying planes and jointer planes is that in their use, the former utilises a slightly cambered edge to the cutting iron, whereas the latter uses a straight edge on the cutting iron.

That's my simplified version of the history of English long bench planes naming, or as I understand! If you know any different, please tell?