A New Spokeshave

When I was part of the Fine Woodworking Crew at Warren Wilson College, I had the opportunity to use several Lie Nielsen tools that I couldn't afford otherwise.  With Lie Nielsen, get what you pay for, and I found their series of planes and spokeshaves to be noticeably more efficient, better finished, and easier to use than the Stanley counterparts. 

 I treated myself recently and bought what is without a doubt the best spokeshave I've ever used, the Lie Nielsen "Boggs" spokeshave. The bronze body is cast and polished, with the bed milled to accept the 2" wide, 1/8" thick A2 steel blade (which arrives from the factory razor sharp). The throat is a mere 20-25 thousands of an inch deep, which when combined with the thick blade makes this tool excel in figured maple.  The turned Hickory handles are also lower than a Stanley #151 spokeshave, and the sole is deeper ahead of the blade, so the tool doesn't have the same bad habit of flipping over as you use it. Available in flat, curved, and concave soles, I purchased the flat, which still works on a subtle concave radius (say, the toe-line of a rifle stock). 

If you're used to a Stanley or Record #151, it will take a little adjusting to the fact that you can't hog off large strips with the Lie Nielsen spokeshave.  Though it will take a few more passes, you quickly realize that the efficiency and virtually zero-chatter make for a faster, smoother, and much more pleasant job.  Available directly from www.lie-nielsen.com, made 100% in the USA in Maine.  (This review not paid for, I sadly have no affiliation with Lie Nielsen toolworks).