Spokeshave question

[Jerome Hanby]

Got a birthday coupon from Woodcraft and a little cash for my birthday and was thinking of adding a spokeshave to my arsenal. Looks like the Wood River brand (think that's the brand name) gets pretty good reviews on the Woodcraft site and I could get it for about $45. Anyone have any opinions on that model or recommendations for a better tool for the money?

Thanks

[Prashun Patel]

I have never used these low angle style spokeshaves. My 'fear' with them is that depth adjustment might be tricky.

I have a conventional Stanley 151 (I think). Anyway, it has a flat bottom, and knob adjusters that make it easy to dial in depth. The blade is also flat, so it's easy to sharpen in my MKII. I am not sure about the ease of sharpening the low angle versions.

[Jerome Hanby]

I've got the Mk II jig and one of the Woodcraft reviews mentioned problems fitting he blade in a sharpening jig... Did you have to do a lot of "clean up"/set up (maybe the correct term is fettling?) after buying it?

[Prashun Patel]

I bought mine off the Creek perfectly fettled with a Hock blade to boot.