[OP]
Guest
While I am not making chairs or anything fancy yet, I think I would like to buy a straight and curved spokeshave. Call it my Christmas present to myself. I see Lie Nielsen has some, Lee Valley/Veritas has some and I am sure many others. Any opinions or recommendations please?
Member
I've got the Veritas pair, and like them a lot. The flat one stops working pretty quick on inside curves, and the curved one doesn't work as easy as the straight on flats, so they are a very complimentary pair.
I think the most important thing for any shave is a tight mouth.
Darnell
Member
Although I can't really vouch for it personally, I've heard good things here on the forum about the Veritas low angle shaves. I usually don't buy new tools...in fact I can't remember the last new tool I bought, but I'm thinking about this one. It's time for a new shave.
Originally Posted by Dan Karachio
Member
I bought a terrific spokeshave made by Russ Filbeck (russfilbeck.net). It has a Hock blade and a beautiful Black Cherry handle for ($150). It has a great heft, fine control, and beautiful finish. I'm very happy with the performance of the tool. I've taken a few classes with Russ at the Palomar Community College, he is a well known celebrity in these parts a fine craftsman, and old school perfectionist who builds great chairs and a very fine Spokeshave. I highly recommend it
Member
The LNs are very nice shaves, but they are finishing shaves. If you're looking to remove a fair amount of wood in a hurry, take a look at the Stanley 151s (like the LNs, they are available in both flat and curved sole versions); with a bit of tuning, they'll work quite nicely and will quickly shape a piece of wood. Then you can use the LN(s) to put the final surface on it.....
James
"Uke is always right." (Attributed to Ueshiba Morihei)
Contributor
I have a pair of old Stanley #51 and #63. They work fine so far. Someone also gave me a pair with adjusters. I am not sure if they are AMT or Kunz, but they are junk.
Just my 2¢.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Contributor
Ron Hock has blades and instructions for a spoke shave on his website. I like the thumb screw adjustment over tap-tap-tap adjustments, but that's just me.
Contributor
Personally, I like the Veritas over the LN spoke shaves, though they are both very nice. They also don't necessarily compete with each other. The LN is a smaller spokeshave.
Contributor
Dave's shaves
http://www.ncworkshops.com/
prices starting at $99, less for kits, for wooden spokeshaves using Hock blades. An advantage to this style is being able to set one side of the blade for a fine cut and the other side for a deeper cut.
Check out his website. Even if you don't buy one of his, there is good information there.
I have one and have been very happy with it. Paul
Member
I have a number of spokeshaves. I have come to the final conclusions that are purely personal.
My LN is beautifully made and as mentioned before made for fine work. The instructions mention this with idea of filing down the mouth for a larger cutting tool. I have been relucktant to do it but like my stanley better. sorry. I have many LN tools not a bad one in the bunch.
I have several small spokeshaves made in my patternmaking days by others and love them.
I have other smaller shaves sold by one of your favorites and I love the three of them. Harry
Contributor
I inherited a Stanley 51 this summer from my Fiancees aunt, along with a few saws and clamps and such. I have to say I really like it. You can find them for pretty cheep at flea markets and antique shops.
Adjusting it takes a little practice, but no more then any other tool with or without an adjustment mechanism.
Im looking for 51r to "round" out my collection...
Contributor
I have two Stanleys that work well. I liked them just fine until I took a class at Mike Dunbar's Windsor Chairmaking Institute and discovered a NH made tool called Dave's Shaves. Dave makes really nice wooden shaves that are a pleasure to use. I have no affiliation with Dave whoever he is.
If you want to spend $25, find that old Stanley and tune it up nicely. If you want to play Bach out of the box, look up Dave's Shaves. As I said, the Stanley works too. However, I wish I saved the $50 plus rehab labor on the two Stanleys and spent the $100 on the new one first. If I had known.
I'm finding that new tools are often the best bargain. I still buy old ones and fix then up as best I can, and even make my own sometimes. But for performance for price (including blood sweat and tears), new is often better. Just one man's opinion.
Good luck. Dan
Member
I like the Stanley #151 which is the screw adjustable one. I paid $12 for mine, needed sharpening. I have used it for 10 - 12 years now and still like it the best.
I also have a dozen other shaves of various brands and models, all bought at flea markets and junk shops. I probably have less invested in my dozen shaves than the cost of one LN or Veritas.
If you feel the need to upgrade then get the Hock replacement blade.
But, now I have to say I buy tools to use not to set on the shelf and look pretty. So, if that is what you want go for the LN.
Member
KCWTW...also makes nice shaves. I use Stanley's metal shaves most of the time, but also have several that I've made using Hock blades and some homemade 01 blades.
Spokeshaves are ridiculously easy to make...google John Gunterman's Teach Shave for plans.
roy griggs
roygriggs@valornet.com
Contributor
Chuckle chuckle, rounding out the collection.
Just now looking at the pricing on the 51r as compared to the 63.
I have the 63 and they are not as rare as the 51r. Do you know if there is much difference?
The 51r was only made from 1936-1941 which likely accounts for its rarity.
jtk
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
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