"Jacobe Hazzard" wrote in
:

I've read that block planes, which are smaller and have a lower blade
angle than smoothing planes, are meant primarily for cutting end
grain.

Is there any reason why a block plane with a 12 degree blade angle is
unsuitable for planing a face or edge? Is it simply a matter of taking
longer to remove the same material, or that the smaller sole is more
difficult to obtain square faces with? Is there another reason why a
block plane shouldn't be used to cut with the grain?


You have described the concept behind a low angle smoothing plane.

Think of a block plane as you know it, made larger.

There are many discussions of these, on the hand tools forum at
www.woodcentral.com Beware that some of these CAN get a bit esoteric.
Some folks there take there hand planes very seriously.

By the way, these planes work very well, particularly on heavily figured
woods.

Patriarch