I have no experience with the larger HNT Gordon spokeshaves, but I did purchase (and return) their version of the small round shave. I purchased it after selling my MF Cigar Shave, thinking it would be handy for the tight inside curves I sometimes work into my designs.
Well, I was wrong - and I suspected I would be immediately upon opening the box. The blade is tiny and only 1/16” thick (the same thickness as their large spokeshaves). Good luck sharpening it. The mouth is microscopic and adjusting the blade to get the desired cut proved to be the definition of frustration. I tried a number of test cuts on straights, curves and edges and decided rather quickly that this tool was not one that would enhance my work.
Is it a bad spokeshave? I won’t go that far. I’ll just say that it’s a very specialized tool that doesn’t work for me. A fine grain Auriou or Liogier Modeler’s or Rattail rasp is much more appropriate. Will I ever consider another HNT Gordon? No. I’ll stick with LN, Boggs and possibly a wooden shave maker when I decide to upgrade my Stanley shaves, which I did when I purchased my Boggs flat shave.
Howard, if you do opt for an HNT Gordon shave, I suggest you order it from Leslie at Heartwood Tools. She is one of the more righteous people in the business, and as I mentioned, has a no questions asked return policy if you’re not satisfied. I have no affiliation whatsoever with her or her small business, just a satisfied customer who happened to be dissatisfied with the tool he purchased.
https://www.heartwoodtools.com/