Recommendations for a decent spokeshave?

[garry3]

I have about a half dozen Auriou rasps and rifflers. Fantastic tools. I've never even held a Liogier, but from what I've heard, they are on par with the Aurious. You may also consider trying to find some made in the US Nicholsons. A coarse rasp, a cabinet rasp and a cabinet file, and you'd be set for handles. 8 or 10 inch would work. I've seen them on that auction site recently. You could get all 3 for $50 or less. Vintage Nicholsons will be better, because they were hand stitched, not machine. Same price on the vintage, but harder to find in decent shape.

That said, I've got a vintage Nicholson 55 that leaves a better finish than my 9 grain Auriou.

I do more than handles so I have files, scrapers and the 49/50 Nicholsons before they went south. Do you know how the 49/50 nicholsons compare to the Auriou's?
I don't think I have ever seen the no 55. Short and fine I take it.

 

[garry3]

So, what you are really doing by grinding the wood to measure is leaving behind a series of ridges and valleys, much more susceptible to compression, the frayed ends of the wood more exposed. A cut surface like you would get with a sharp spokeshave in this instance, or any bladed tool leaves the wood fibers more intact and is more or less a plane providing a more solid and durable surface.

E.DB.

Ernest, I follow the rasp with a file and a scraper or just a scraper. No frayed wood left behind. You don't really need a scraper to do this. A sharp knife will work held at a right angle, broken glass, all kinds of things. Leaves a nice finish.

 

[EdgyGator]

I do more than handles so I have files, scrapers and the 49/50 Nicholsons before they went south. Do you know how the 49/50 nicholsons compare to the Auriou's?
I don't think I have ever seen the no 55. Short and fine I take it.

Modern 49s and 50s probably compare to a mid grain Auriou. I've got a mix of vintage and newer Nicholsons. The teeth are much larger on the rasps made right before they went overseas. I'd recommend looking for vintage.

As far as files, keep you eyes open for Nicholson aluminum files and what they call their Doctor Blades. I did an experiment with various rasps and files and I was very impressed with how well the aluminum files worked on wood. The doctor blades are curved shear tooth files and they work great as well.

Short answer, you won't be sorry you bought Aurious, if you're comfortable with the price.

The 55 was the finest pattern makers rasp, if I remember correctly. Full size, but fine cut.

To the OP - sorry for the hijack.

 

[drew2]

No worries about the hijack, it was interesting

 

[garry3]

No worries about the hijack, it was interesting

My apologies also Drew. It does seem that this forum is very forgiving about high jacking. It is one of the things I really like about it. I suspect it is because most are here to learn and exchange experiences.
Thank you for the tips EdgyGator!

 

[1066vik]

I have a few "new" heads in need of handles and I'd like to get a spokeshave to trim down the new handles both for fitting the heads and generally slimming down the handles. Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent one? Am I ok just ordering something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-12-951-SpokeShave-Flat-Base/dp/B00002X1ZG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366689938&sr=8-1&keywords=spokeshave

or do I want the curved base?

http://www.amazon.com/Steelex-D3659-Convex-Spokeshave/dp/B005W0ZWWO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1366689871&sr=8-3&keywords=spokeshave

I do not have any experience with the "new" stanley tools.
I have a Kunz and it's not bad for a low end/beginner shave.
Steelex in my experience is on a par with HF.