Is this a travisher? *LINK*

Re: Is this a travisher?

Greg B�tit, Vergennes, VT

>The shape of that tool's blade is like a travisher's. But the travishers I am familiar with are more like spoke shaves in that the blade peeks out from a slit in the sole, like planes. It seems to me that this tool is a travisher that was "modified" because the blade kept slipping below the sole in use. The user got tired of resetting the blade so they cut out the front part of the sole away to leave the cutting edge exposed forever.

If you are looking to use this tool as a travisher, I would be concerned with two things. The blade is friction held by square metal tangs in very old wood. This method works best the first few months after the tool is made, and starts letting the blade's adjustment change as it is used thereafter. Not that adjustment is a big deal given the current configuration. The second is that the travisher is a finishing tool. I haven't used this tool obviously, but I think that its action would be more like that of a scorp (inshave), more for roughing. The effective "mouth" of the tool is the gap between the blade and the worn surface you see in the middle picture, which seems to be quite wide. I suppose the fact that there is an effective mouth might give you more control than a scorp, you'll never know unless you try.

Greg

Re: Is this a travisher?

Mike Jurnigan in Suffolk, VA

>Yes, it appears that it is a shallow sweep travisher. As noted in the previous post it appears to have been modified. This modification makes it unsuitable for chair making purposes. The high point of the blade is below the body of the travisher; therefore it will not cut a chair bottom because it is riding on the body. In other words it will only cut a piece that is the same width of the blade or narrower. If you are buying for chair making purposes, save your money. If you have any other questions e-mail me.