Spokeshave for tight curves?

[Rob Luter]

Do any contemporary manufacturers make a shave for tight curves? I had a Millers Falls cigar shave but it was all but impossible to sharpen so I sold it. I have the small LN shave and it’s decent, but won’t go as tight as I’d like. Are round rasps/files my only option?

[Derek Cohen]

How tight is tight? if you get extreme, you might be better off with a different tool, such as a rasp, file or scraper.

Lee Valley make a small, curved spokeshave based on a Preston ...

https://i.postimg.cc/4NFKPmZ1/LVCast-Round-Spokeshave-html-m3ff752d4.jpg

My review: http://www.inthewoodshop.com/ToolReviews/LVCastRoundSpokeshave.html

Regards from Perth

Derek

[Rob Luter]

I have this one from LN and it's alleged to be good to 1 1/2" radius curves. I need to check it with a template as that seems inaccurate based on my use. It's a nice shave, it just doesn't seem to work in that tight a curve. Ideally, I'd like to go down to 1" radius.

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Edit....

I see the Lee Valley Preston pattern shave has a 5/8 radius sole. That looks like the ticket. Thanks!

[Jim Matthews]

For small blade honing, see "Jeweler's ring clamp".

[Rob Luter]

For small blade honing, see "Jeweler's ring clamp".

I picked up a LN Honing guide and a set of long jaws. Shave blades are a cakewalk now. It was a real game changer. It seems that many of the problems I was experiencing with my shaves had their root in the degree of sharpness I was achieving (or not achieving). Imagine that?

[john zulu]

@Rob what is the radius of the curve?

[Rob Luter]

I'd like to go down to an inch radius. My small LN is represented to be good to 1 1/2". I took a look at it and compared it to some circle templates I have and that's probably pretty close.

[Mike Brady]

You need what is known as a "cigar shave". They are about the size of an average cigar and can make shavings within a very tight radius. I have two of them: one is a Miller's Falls that works beautifully. The other is a larger version of the MF and of modern manufacture; however, I have not seen them for sale from the maker in quite a while (on the big auction site); not recalling his name----sorry. That tool is beautifully machined metal and wood. Millers Falls cigar shaves should be fairly possible to find but you need to be carefull of what you buy as very few of them have cutters that have been maintained properly.
https://i.postimg.cc/gcKk6y2G/IMG-0482.jpg

[ken hatch]

You need what is known as a "cigar shave". They are about the size of an average cigar and can make shavings within a very tight radius. I have two of them: one is a Miller's Falls that works beautifully. The other is a larger version of the MF and of modern manufacture; however, I have not seen them for sale from the maker in quite a while (on the big auction site); not do I recall his name----sorry. That tool is beautifully machined metal and wood. Millers Falls cigar shaves should be fairly possible to find but you need to be carefull of what you buy as very few of them have cutters that have been maintained properly.


Mike,

I expect you are referring to the WoodJoy cigar shave. While beautifully made it comes with a A2 cutter which chips very easily and is a bear to sharpen after chipping. I should check to see if Hock makes a replacement cutter out of O1 but I kinda lost interest after using Dave's Shaves #0. Next time I'm bored with nothing to do I'll check with Hock.

ken

[Mike Brady]

Also see this thread regarding cigars shaves, including the one shown above:https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?224019-Curved-Shaves

[Steve Voigt]

There's also the Gordon:

https://hntgordon.com.au/products/small-curved-sole-spoke-shave

[Mike Brady]

Ken, the one you suggest is very similar, but I'm still going with Kelly as the maker of mine. It's academic anyway, as Kelly seems to be long-gone. Does anyone know if WoodJoy is taking orders? Everything on their site is sold out. Their cigar shave looks good.

We haven't even talked about how to sharpen one of these. That's a whole thread topic of it's own.

[Rob Luter]

You need what is known as a "cigar shave". They are about the size of an average cigar and can make shavings within a very tight radius. I have two of them: one is a Miller's Falls that works beautifully. The other is a larger version of the MF and of modern manufacture; however, I have not seen them for sale from the maker in quite a while (on the big auction site); not recalling his name----sorry. That tool is beautifully machined metal and wood. Millers Falls cigar shaves should be fairly possible to find but you need to be carefull of what you buy as very few of them have cutters that have been maintained properly.
https://i.postimg.cc/gcKk6y2G/IMG-0482.jpg

Refer to my original post. I had a nice Millers Falls cigar shave but it was all but impossible to sharpen. I sold it.

[Rob Luter]

There's also the Gordon:

https://hntgordon.com.au/products/small-curved-sole-spoke-shave

This looks like a nice little shave. A bit spendy though.

[Stephen Rosenthal]

Glenn retired in June. It’s clearly listed on the home page of his still active website. The only place to secure Woodjoy products (of which I own several and love them) is on the auction site or equivalent.

[Mike Brady]

Regarding a sharpening jig for these, its pretty easy to make one from wood that will clamp into an eclipse jig. A scrap of 1/2" thick wood and two oval-head phlliips screws. There's a thread about that around here too.

See this thread for explanation:https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?273263-Millers-Falls-Cigar-Shave-How-to-sharpen

[Mike Brady]

Refer to my original post. I had a nice Millers Falls cigar shave but it was all but impossible to sharpen. I sold it.

Plan B: Oscillating spindle sander

[Jeff Wittrock]

I had the same need and tried making my own, though with limited success on my first try.
https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?185084-Spokeshave-finished&highlight=

https://sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=229539&d=1334438292

I'm not sure it would go all the way down to 1" radius. Maybe if the it is just a half circle to clear the top of the blade.
I have always wanted to come back to it and make a smaller version. Maybe something similar scaled down would work for you.
The blade sticking out the top is a limitation, but sure makes it easier to sharpen.

[Ross Manning]

There's also the Gordon:

https://hntgordon.com.au/products/small-curved-sole-spoke-shave

This!!

Solves your problem, is a beautiful tool (boys jewellery) AND the blade is easy to sharpen.

You can not get better than a tool from Terry Gordon :D:D:D

[Rob Luter]

Plan B: Oscillating spindle sander

Good call!

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