A rare spokeshave

[Jason Buresh]

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Ok Neanderthals. Here's a head scratcher for you. This spokeshave is in a lot of tools I just bought, and I have never seen anything like it. It appears that it would be flipped over and used as a curve on one side and a flat on the other. Adjusting the iron appears to be a pain. It looks like it was an idea of a "compact combo" instead of the more popular side by side design.

Google doesn't seem to turn up much info. Anyone ever seen one of these?

I know rare doesn't mean valuable, just looking for more info. Thanks!

[Jason Buresh]

Well it took a lot of digging, but according to this 1902 book it was designed so it could be quickly rolled over while working and was deemed more "accurate" by having both cutters inline than side by side.

It was manufactured by the A A Woods and Sons company, which made tools such as hollow augers and spoke pointers as well for carriage makers and wheelwrights.

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[Rob Luter]

Looks like a solution desperately seeking a problem.

[Stephen Rosenthal]

I seem to recall seeing one of those on Patrick Leach’s list in the not too distant past. Can’t remember if he included a sarcastic comment in the description.

[Jason Buresh]

I seem to recall seeing one of those on Patrick Leach’s list in the not too distant past. Can’t remember if he included a sarcastic comment in the description.

I can't say I am going to use it, but it's a good conversation starter