1st spokeshave advice needed

Re: 1st spokeshave advice needed

paul womack

>I think you just specified the Veritas Low Angle.

It's a bit tricky to learn, since you can't see the cutting action is invisible, but you quickly get used to this.

It's biggest limitation is tight inner radii, but you've stated you're not doing those.

BugBear

Re: 1st spokeshave advice needed

bill tindall

>A low angle shave works great for end grain but I have trouble with the grain splitting ahead of the cut when the grain is parallel to the direction of cutting. In this case a "normal" angle shave works better in my hands. The set of 3 that LV has on sale till end of month seem to me to be a steal.

Among other things I was not fond of the handles on the LV low angle shave. But i suppose one could wrap them in tape.

Re: 1st spokeshave advice needed

Rob Lee

>Brian -

If you're feeling ambitious - you could try our LA SS kit, and make your own... I really like the ones I've used...

Cheers -

Rob

Re: 1st spokeshave advice needed *LINK*

Bob Smalser, Seabeck, WA

>Nuthin wrong with a 15-dollar used #151 Stanley of the Record equivalent.

I been making chairs, oars and spars with it and the drawknife for decades and have never needed another. Although a travisher for chair seats is a good acquisition.


Spokeshave Tuneup

Re: 1st spokeshave advice needed

JL work

>I have used the LV low angle. It works well for me. I also have the LV round spokeshave. I like it, but for different reasons (it allows me to be more or less aggressive with my cuts). I have 151 that I also like. I don't like the Kunz that I have however. It just doesn't perform well. Dave's Shaves are very nice, but are a little pricy for the beginner.

Re: 1st spokeshave advice needed

Tony - Memphis

>My first was an old 151 I got online from somebody. Actually, it may have been someone on this forum, but I can't remember. Anyway, I added a Hock iron recently. Its a nice tool. Works great. I've been wanting to try the kit Rob mentioned. That'll be on my Christmas list this year. In a couple of the classes I have taken,the instructors had a couple of shaves, each set for a different job. As cheap as they are, its an affordable thing to do, but as a weekend warrior, I don't have the need really. I'm sure that the Lee Valley models are great and they are really nice looking too. Plus, you can get a kit to make your own handles, which might be fun too.

Tony

Or a 51 or 52

Bill Houghton, Sebastopol, CA

>I use and prefer the Stanley 51 and 52 shaves over the 151. These are simpler, lacking the thumb screws for setting depth, but gaining in the process a little more nimble ability to follow inside curves.

I've paid up to $5 (and as little as $1) for one, but I don't know if this is a common price range in other areas.

Re: 1st spokeshave advice needed

Dick L.

>I have one of Dave's Shaves - VERY nice tool.

Re: Or a 51 or 52

Bob Smalser, Seabeck, WA

>It's the only spoke shave I have other than an old woodie, so I can't comment.

Re: 1st spokeshave advice needed

Cameron Miller

>Out of the 100 or so different shaves I have (yeah, I guess I'm a collector) my "go to" spokeshaves are usually the Stanley 53's or 54's. They just adjust so quickly and work well.

agreed

bill tindall

>for a low angle you can't beat a home made one and they are so easy to make

Confused!

Tony - Memphis

>Well, are you as confused as I am now?!? Guess you can't hardly go wrong buying a shave! One good thing about them all is that they aren't terribly expensive, so you can afford to own a few different models over time anyway...Gotta remember to add the LV kit to my Christmas list!

hey Santa....

Tony - who wishes he was pushing/pulling a shave right now!

Re: 1st spokeshave advice needed

Mike Stallard

>I am cetainly no expert on use, and I didn't think I was a collector until I started this message,but I seem to own several spokeshaves. I have a Record 151, a Kunz double blade (what a sadistic instrument), an LV low angle, an old wooden low angle with brass throat plate, an LV kit (haven't built the shave yet), and a set of the LV ductile irons (these are new). I also had a chance to try out a pre-production version of the Boggs shave at Brian's shop just before LN released those.

In my limited experience, I would say any of them can perform just fine as long as they are sharp. It seems to me that what differentiates them is your comfort in holding them, and how easy they are to sharpen and adjust. You should hold and use any spokeshave you are considering to select comfort.

My own favorite for comfort and ease of use is the Boggs shave. It is a bit pricy, though.

The LV ductile iron shaves are a close second, however, and you can get an individual shave for $65 US or the set of three for $149 US for three more days (until Oct 31, 2004). That is probably the best deal on any of them.

The LV low angle is a very good shave, especially for end grain, but as others have pointed out, the inside curve you can work is a little disappointing. My old wooden shave, even though it has a flat sole, gets into tighter spots.

Actually, the Kunz is a decent shave, except the two blade configuration. Whichever blade I am using, the other blade is exactly where I want to put my fingers. Also, in my hands, I get terrible blisters from any prolonged use.

The Record can work just fine, but I bought it new (my first) and it went unused for some time because it needed so much work. Brian Boggs wrote an article some time back in Fine Woodworking on how to put the Record to work. Once fettled, I used it for coarse work until I cannibalized it to make a rounder.

When I reach for a shave for some minor work, it is usually the old wooden one. If you are making a purchase right away, I would look at the LV ductile iron shaves. They are comfortable, have great irons, and come ready to use right from the box. The price is unbeatable for what you get.