View Full Version : LV spokeshaves
Russ Massery
05-20-2009, 10:40 PM
Looking for feedback on the these. Frustrated by my Stanley 151 enough to replace it.
Brian Kent
05-20-2009, 11:04 PM
Hi Russ. I do not have any of the ready-made full sized Veritas spokeshaves. I bought the hardware kit and instructions and made one that works well.
But the ones I use most often and most successfully are the Contour Planes:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=46321&cat=1,50230&ap=1
Two for $31. They are beautiful. I sharpened them up and fine sanded the wood and I love these little things. Sometimes my wooden home-made and my Stanley aren't working and these beauties work just about perfectly. I use the larger of the two more but for the price, both are great.
Bill Houghton
05-20-2009, 11:32 PM
I have, use, and love a Stanley 52 (straight-handled version of a 51), now with a Lee Valley iron, thicker and of course made from better steel than the original.
You have to learn to set by guess, but if you can store it in a way that doesn't require you to back off the iron for storage, this isn't a big deal.
I find the lack of adjuster knobs on the back permits it to fit into tighter corners. Plus, it's lighter. For me, it's the difference between a sedan and a sports car - the lighter shave is just so much more nimble.
My two cents/minority report.
Mike Henderson
05-21-2009, 12:17 AM
I haven't used the LV spokeshaves but I have one of the LN Boggs spokeshaves (regular flat one) and it's wonderful for fine work. I use a wooden shave for rough work and finish with the LN.
Just a comment, the wooden shaves are excellent. You can get a kit (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=49710&cat=1,50230&ap=1)from LV and make your own for a very decent price.
Mike
Mat Ashton
05-21-2009, 12:55 AM
I've got a couple LV spoke shaves and for the most part they're good. They're no better or worse than any of the others offered such as the Bogs... They're going to be better than what stanley has to offer as they have more durable blades and come with shims to close up the mouth when you encounter gnarly grain.
David Gendron
05-21-2009, 1:01 AM
I have the veritas Low angle spoke shave and wouden't recomend it! But I also have the concave shave and it work realy well!
John Keeton
05-21-2009, 6:46 AM
Russ, I did some similar research before buying a spokeshave. Mark Singer, and others, really like the LV Low Angle, and that is what I got. I enjoy mine. I have had an LN Boggs, and it is a very nice spokeshave, but not significantly better than the LV.
David may be able to offer some detail about the LV, and why he doesn't care for it. I am sure much of this depends on one's use, and how the tool feels to the user. I don't use spokeshaves a lot, but from what I understand, David is a hand tools only woodworker? He may have more experience with that.
There have been many positive posts on the LV kits. That would probably be my second choice were I to buy another.
Russ Massery
05-21-2009, 8:26 AM
As a side note I did the Brian Boggs tune up to it. (the Stanley 151) And replaced the iron with a Lee Valley A2 blade. While better with far less chatter. Still not thrilled with it. I did see a video of Brian Boggs talking about the problems with the design of the Stanley/ Record 151. Also was impressed with the way he was able to use his LN "Boggs". He was able to push the spokeshave as well as pull it. I guess I'll do little more research as well look in the Lee Valley kits. More feedback is welcome.
Derek Cohen
05-21-2009, 10:01 AM
Looking for feedback on the these. Frustrated by my Stanley 151 enough to replace it.
Hi Russ
The LV LA spokeshave is a metal version of the traditional wooden spokeshave (with a few mods, such as the adjustable mouth). It is an excellent tool, but I tend to use it primarily on endgrain. It excels there.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/End%20Tables/Spokeshaves/IMG_2566.jpg
There are a number of others I prefer for face grain.
One of my favourites is the vintage Stanley #53, which has an adjustable mouth for fine or coarse shavings.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/End%20Tables/Spokeshaves/IMG_2540.jpg
When it comes to gnarly wood, then out come the HNT Gordon spokeshaves, which have Eastern roots ..
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a262/Derek50/Furniture/End%20Tables/Spokeshaves/IMG_2545.jpg
I also have the LN Boggs, and it is a beautifully balanced performer capable of fine shavings - better on less gnarly wood. (no pictures - this is a fairly new addition).
For a review of the HNT Gordon spokeshaves - mainly to see them compared with the #53 and the LV, plus round sole versions, go to ..
http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/THE%20HNT%20GORDON%20SPOKESHAVES.html
Regards from Perth
Derek
george wilson
05-21-2009, 10:18 AM
A friend of mine has the LV metal spokeshave,and he likes it fine. You can change the front plate to re configure the shave.
Sean Hughto
05-21-2009, 10:26 AM
Russ, I have lots of spokeshaves as I can't resist them when I come across them for next to nothing, but none from LV. I've always been very satisfied with the perfoemance on my 151. I'm curious what you dislike about your 151. What are you using it for that it is letting you down, and how is it letting you down?
Evidence of my weakness can be seen in this cabinet:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2005/2265379117_79827c7179.jpg
And that's not even all of them! I have a few more wood bodied and a concave LN Boggs. Crazy? Yes, but I love them all!!
Dave Anderson NH
05-21-2009, 12:41 PM
My opinion, as a spokeshave addict, is that most serious hand tool woodworkers should have at least 2-3. High angle shaves like the Stanley51/Record 151 and many of the LV shaves are classic examples of the high angle. The LV black shave, their kits, the Stanley Razor shaves, and some of the ones you can make yourself with Ron Hock's blades are the low angle type. Each type excels depending on how the grain of the workpiece is arranged and you will best find this out through experimental experience.
My idea of the basic kit for the all around woodworker is:
2 flat soled shaves 1 high angle, 1 low angle
1 concave sole shave High angle
1 convex soled shave High angle
Brands are your choice and mostly depend on your personal preference and how well you tune them. My only caveat to this statement is that I would stay away from the most modern of the Stanleys, and avoid anything by Kunz at all cost.
YMMV
John Keeton
05-21-2009, 12:45 PM
Russ, excuse the momentary hi-jack.
Sean, your cabinet is much too neatly arranged! Very nice - have you posted a pic of the outside? If so, the link?
Russ Massery
05-21-2009, 1:12 PM
John, I see your point, I don't see a problem with the amount of tools. Just the neatness and organization of them. :D You should see my shop right now,
I'm rebuilding the staircase going downstairs. And it looks like a bomb when off out there.:rolleyes:
Sean, Mostly the pressure needed to to keep it from chattering.
Bill Houghton
05-21-2009, 1:31 PM
My opinion, as a spokeshave addict, is that most serious hand tool woodworkers should have at least 2-3. High angle shaves like the Stanley51/Record 151 and many of the LV shaves are classic examples of the high angle. The LV black shave, their kits, the Stanley Razor shaves, and some of the ones you can make yourself with Ron Hock's blades are the low angle type. Each type excels depending on how the grain of the workpiece is arranged and you will best find this out through experimental experience.
My idea of the basic kit for the all around woodworker is:
2 flat soled shaves 1 high angle, 1 low angle
1 concave sole shave High angle
1 convex soled shave High angle
Brands are your choice and mostly depend on your personal preference and how well you tune them. My only caveat to this statement is that I would stay away from the most modern of the Stanleys, and avoid anything by Kunz at all cost.
YMMV
A good list, though this doesn't explain why I have more shaves than you list, but I have one addition to suggest.
I haven't used mine much since I acquired it six months or so ago (not much call for spokeshaves on landscaping projects, nor are they particularly useful aids to recovery from surgery, other than emotionally), but I've found a cigar shave, like the Millers-Falls No. 1 or similar modern versions, quite useful for tight inside corners.
Sean Hughto
05-21-2009, 1:39 PM
Thanks, John. It's just a simple poplar box with a quick and dirty frame and panel door. It has a piano hinge (thought it might help if I hung much on the inside). You can see it in the background here:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/2281053800_d47743033d_b.jpg
Sean Hughto
05-21-2009, 1:42 PM
My shop is anything but neat on most days. Between bigger projects I will often take a break with a quick shop storage pallette cleanser, so to speak. I'll need plenty more before I get close to neat and everything having its place.
Derek Cohen
05-21-2009, 1:45 PM
With respect Dave, the Stanley is not a high angle shave. It has a common pitch 45 degrees). For a high cutting angle you need to go to the HNT Gordons (55 degrees).
Otherwise I agree with your list.
For feel I prefer spokeshaves without adjusters. I have a #51 which I use as a jack as the mouth is quite wide. I had a #151 but really found it poorly balanced in my hands (sorry Sean ... but then I think you have much better hands than I :) ).
Avoid the #51 R like the plague! Bloody thing is impossible to use.
http://tinyurl.com/d5sg43
From top to bottom ...
Stanley #66 beader .......................... not a spokeshave, of course.
HNT Gordon round bottom ............. the absolute best spokeshave for inside curves on gnarly grain.
HNT Gordon flat bottom ................. the absolute best spokeshave for gnarly grain. You can take this one into the grain!
Veritas LA spokeshave ................... metal recreation of a LA woodie. Superb on end grain.
LN Boggs flat bottom ...................... wonderful for taking those finishing shavings. Terrific balance.
Stanley #55 concave or hollow ....... this one works well with a shimmed mouth.
Stanley #53 adjustable mouth .......... one of the best there is. I wonder why LN or LV have not copied it?
Stanley #65 chamfer shave .............. difficult to find with intact fences - and rarely used after all that!
Stanley #51 ...................................... set up as my "jack" to take coarse shavings.
Mathieson beader ............................ double sided for grain direction.
Chinese woodie ............................... don't ask.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Dave Anderson NH
05-22-2009, 9:45 AM
Derek, You are right about the high angle being like a HNT Gordon. I was actually comparing the razor type to the LV and other which are "comparatively" high angle.
Bill, I agree about the usefulness of the MF#1. In fact, I have 4 of them since they are such a pain to sharpen in the middle of a job. Sometimes I use them for rugular work and they do just fine there too.
4 is a very basic kit, and while I haven't counted my shaves in a while I think the number is around 20. I'll check it out tonight and report back.
Russ Massery
05-22-2009, 10:03 AM
I found the Lee Valley kits very interesting. And I like the idea of making my own. One question I do have how do you sharpen the blade with the posts on the blade?
Mike Henderson
05-22-2009, 10:43 AM
I found the Lee Valley kits very interesting. And I like the idea of making my own. One question I do have how do you sharpen the blade with the posts on the blade?
I'll have to go check on my spokeshave kits, but I think the posts screw into the blade so you can remove them.
If you want to leave them on while sharpening, use the side of your stone.
I have a power honing wheel and use that for sharpening them. The wheel is about 1" wide. I leave the posts on while sharpening.
You hone the back in the normal fashion (flat on the stone).
Mike
Rick Erickson
05-22-2009, 12:23 PM
I haven't used the LV but I own the Lie-Nielsen Small Curved Bottom Bronze Spokeshave and can say it is easily the most frustrating tool I own. LN needs to go back to the drawing board on that one. Shavings clog and render it useless after a few passes.
Side Note: Sean, nice DT box you are building there.
Russ Massery
05-22-2009, 5:51 PM
Mike I found a picture from a another thread about the LV low angle Spokeshave. It's from Mike Wenzloff. Thanks Mike.
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