This spokeshave uses a basic traditional shape, not of the spokeshaves of the last century, but of the century before.
Until about 1900, the vast majority of spokeshaves were low-angle spokeshaves with wooden bodies. The blades were hand forged with upturned tangs that fitted into holes pierced in the body of the shave. Wedged in position, they were adjusted by tapping the ends of the tangs or the base of the blade, as required.
Although these spokeshaves cut beautifully because of their low cutting angle, they were not easy to adjust and became very expensive as hand processes gave way to automated manufacturing methods.
This spokeshave has the same low cutting angle as spokeshaves of old (20° basic bevel with a 25° micro-bevel), but cutting depth has been simplified substantially. Instead of adjusting blade projection, the blade is fixed, forming the sole of the spokeshave. The toe piece is adjustable to control the depth of cut.
Used in one orientation, the toe piece is suited to convex and flat work. Flipped 180°, it allows the tool to be used on concave work. The blade is fixed by two machine screws with specially shaped heads that wedge it in position when the knurled knobs on the top of the shave are tightened. Because the blade can be moved either forward or backward, the mouth opening is controllable, while the adjustable toe piece controls the depth of the cut.
The cast aluminum body has a powder coating and, with fittings, the tool weighs just over 6 oz. The 1/8" thick blade is made of A2 tool steel, which holds an edge some five times longer than regular high-carbon steel.
The ease of cutting and the ergonomically shaped body make this tool capable of much more precise work than the standard spokeshaves of today. A beautiful tool with classic origins.
Made in Canada.
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