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Cutting paper is annoying to get straight without a paper cutter.

That a4 x 11" document size prints correctly on A4 or letter without scaling or cropping (the margins just change)

Squaring is at least pretty easy. Fold diagonally, fold where the edge crosses the paper, crease back-and-forth until it tears easily.

> take scissors to a sheet not an option?

My experience is that it is quite difficult to cut the sheet precisely enough if you just use a normal pair of scissors.

My technique was always 1) fold along the line you want to cut (makes it straight—maybe parallel if you have a good eye), 2) use your tongue to wet the creased edge, 3) open and re-fold along the same crease but for the opposite side (valley becomes mountain fold), 4) wet the creased edge again… It was easy enough to tear along the fold at that point.

Obviously just an anecdote.

The instructions were just there and I was certain it was the best plane ever if I just had the right paper format. And that they failed had nothing to do with my folding skills.