The jointer plane (also known as the try plane or trying plane) is a type of hand plane used primarily to straighten the edges of boards in the operation known as jointing. A jointer plane may also be used to flatten the face of a board. Its long length is designed to 'ride over' the undulations of an uneven surface, skimming off the peaks, gradually creating a flat surface. In thicknessing or preparing rough stock, the jointer plane is usually preceded by the jack plane and followed by the smoothing plane.
Jointer planes are typically 20 to 24 inches (510 to 610 mm) long. There is also a shorter version of the jointer plane known as the fore plane which is around 18 inches (460 mm) long.