Official Luthiers Forum!

Some Links:


David Barron youtube video - flat and curved spokeshaves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpHNsurmgJk


David Barron - how to make a spokeshave

http://www.woodworkersinstitute.com/page.asp?p=2072


Lee Valley spokeshave kits

http://www.leevalley.com/us/hardware/page.aspx?p=49710&cat=1,50230&ap=1


Lee Valley Veritas low angle spokeshave

http://www.leevalley.com/us/hardware/page.aspx?p=44834&cat=1,50230&ap=1

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John Lewis
Wannabe builder owned by 2 crazy dachshunds

I use spoke shaves and drawknives, but also a 1 inch roundover router bit that makes short work of roughing out a neck very quickly. For a more flattened profile I use a "solid surface undermount bowl bit".

I noticed in the first video where the user had to hold his fingers above the bottom of the tool to make some cuts because of the straight handle. Pretty tool, but I think I'll stick with my el cheapo Stanleys and Records.

Yes, because he's using a vise - I wouldn't have that problem.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Using what you feel is a well made high quality tool can add to the joy of the "making". I have never regretted buying nice tools. What works well for one person may not work as well for someone else.

Watched the HNT Gordon review video, then got what Trevor suggested, the smaller version. I had a look at both at a dealer who wanted to show me both, and the bigger one in the video was for me a bit heavy and unwieldy for acoustic neck heels but would good for electric. It takes a while to get used to rolling it but is well worth the effort. Surprisingly quick. He showed me a Veritas curved spokeshave he uses, but after seeing the HNT he wants one.