You have a few options to take your workpiece from rough-cut to perfectly smooth. All three of the methods shown here work well, so take your pick.

Jointer. If you have a jointer, you can get the job done in a hurry. Just be sure to work “downhill” to prevent tearout. Start by taking light passes over any high spots. Then run the whole piece through to obtain a smooth, even taper.

Hand Plane. Another quick option is to use a hand plane. Any bench plane will work, but the longer the sole, the flatter the results. Set the blade for a light cut and tackle the high spots first. Check your progress with a square to keep the pieces consistent and keep an eye on the layout lines.

Sanding Block. A third method is to use a long sanding block. Don’t be afraid to start with 100-grit sandpaper to speed up the process.