<p>The article presents a topographical and morphological analysis of the rake faces of planer knives that have been modified with three different anti-wear coatings: multilayer, monolithic, and monolithic-gradient. The application of these coatings to the working surface of planing tools contributed to an increase in their durability ranging from 153% to 240% compared to unmodified tools. Surface texture analysis was performed before and after operational tests in the planing process using heads equipped with modified knives. The tests were performed on HS6-5-2 high-speed steel knives used in industrial conditions at the KPPD Wood Industry Plant in Szczecinek (Poland). The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the operation of modified tools on the geometric structure of their rake surface. The results of analysis have contributed to the expansion of knowledge in the field of elementary wear phenomena of planer knives modified with anti-wear coatings. Topographical analysis of the working surface of modified knives before and after the exploitation process makes it possible to predict their service life, which affects operating costs, machining quality, and the efficiency of production processes. Selected spatial parameters of 3D surface roughness, isometric views, and additional features such as ordinate distribution, isotropy, and island analysis were used to analyze the rake surface of planer knives, which was supplemented by surface morphology analysis based on microscopic images. Based on the specified surface texture evaluation parameters, a proposal for a compound coating durability index (Wear Performance Index, WPI) was developed, enabling the evaluation of different types of coatings in relation to each other.</p>