Convex-bladed draw knife questions

[Walt Pater]

If only because they strike me as completely impossible to use, but also wanting to put a hand-hewn look to some stuff, I bought an Arno convex draw knife while at Garrett-Wade. So now that I've spent the money, how the HE** do you use the thing? I have seen some old beams in houses which look like they were planed with such a device, across the grain. I am still very much in the practice stage with the tool, but it is really addictive. It does seem to work better across the grain, and when done properly (boy do I use that term loosely), leaves an unbelievably smooth mark. Any advice/ guidance/ tips? Thanks. Walt

[Bob Smalser]

http://media5.hypernet.com/cgi-bin/UBB/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=009003&p=

http://media5.hypernet.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009692

[Marc Hills]

Walter,

I have some advice, but I'm not sure you're not going to like it. The hand hewn look on beams was probably the result of a carpenter's hewing axe, or possibly a adze. So if that's the look that you're after, I think the convex spokeshave is the wrong tool.

In panels, that hand hewn look probably results from the use of a scrub plane, with a wide throat and a cambered blade.

I confess I don't own any of these tools, but my sense is that a convex spoke shave is used to refine the surface of a peice that has already been hollowed out by another tool, like the aforementioned adze, or perhaps a scorp (convex drawknife).

Others may have different opinions/advice.

[Walt Pater]

I was hoping you'd chime in, Mr. Smalser. I knew that you would have a well-illustrated essay on the tool. Thanks

[Bob Smalser]

And I'll also say that drawknives didn't touch beams. Adzes did to smooth after they were roughed out with a flat-sided, offset-hanfle broad axe.