HNT Gordon- USING CURVED SOLE SPOKESHAVES

CAUTION – PLEASE READ CAREFULLY TO AVOID DAMAGING THIS TOOL
1. Do not insert the blade bevel up, otherwise the rear brass sole plate will be dislodged when you tap the wedge in.
2. The rear brass sole plate is designed to minimise the gap in the sole for better function. However, with the blade correctly inserted bevel down this brass plate prevents the blade protruding more than about 1mm. Similarly to point # 1 above you can damage the rear brass sole plate if the blade extends beyond 1mm when you tap the wedge in.
3. If you find your blade is coming loose during use it is most likely that you are pushing down too hard on the wood to make the shave cut. Tapping the wedge harder and harder will not solve this problem and will most likely result in damage to the tool.
4. A light series of taps on the wedge will hold down the blade in position.

Please contact HNT Gordon if you are having any problems in this regard.

The curved spokeshave is designed to do inside curves. It is a difficult tool to control as there is no support in front of the blade so it wants to roll as you start to push.

If you use the photos and the information below you will learn how to master this very useful tool. You can do inside and outside curves, plus flat surfaces once you master this tool.

The adjacent photo shows the hand grip where I get best control and results. When using the curved sole shave I always push it. The only part of my hand which exerts any great pressure is my thumbs. The rest of my hands have a light grip. I ensure I have set the shave for a light cut. I have a little weight down on the wood to ensure the sole is sitting flat to get a full width shaving. My thumbs then do the pushing and drag along the wood to help steady the body. My wrists are flexible so I can roll with the curves. The palm of my hands rests on the flat top of the handle so I can help stop the shave from rolling as the blade engages with the wood.

To remove any saw marks do some short quick cuts with the shave. Once you have a reasonable surface, slow your speed of cut down to take a full length shaving. This shave will be capable of cutting against the grain on most woods. If you do get any tearout on real cranky woods you may need to plane with the grain by reversing the direction of cut to suit.

CAUTION: You cannot reverse the blade in the shave to use it as a scraper.