Nobles Mfg Co. spokeshave?

[Roy Bennett]

I rescued a tool from the Dumpster and am interested in its history. It is a spokeshave or drawknife, ~15" between handle centerlines, and an edge length of about 9". The handles appear to be Rosewood, with brass ferrels and washers.

As best I can make out, stamped on a blade flat is "NOBLES MFG CO" and the number "9" or "6". Those are the only markings.

Anyone have a clue, or is this a common low cost throwaway?

[Bill Houghton]

Not quite the same tool. If the tool has a long, fully exposed knife edge and handles on each end, you've got a drawknife - which is what it sounds like from your description.

Drawknives are very useful tools, the use of which is fairly intuitive. Grab one handle in each hand and pull it toward you. Grab some firewood or scrap lumber and try it out. If it's dull, it won't cut - sharpening is fairly simple, but tricky - you don't want to get bloody. Just think carefully about what you're doing, and you should be OK, though.

For hogging off edges, there's few better tools. For coarse, hogging cuts, short, choppy motions will work best. Once you get the feel of the tool, you can use it for smoothing, too, at least on some woods - and it's an amazing feeling, leaving a smooth edge with nothing but a blade and your skill.