Tools & Materials
Hone Your Spokeshave Technique
Hand-tool expert Garrett Hack offers tips on using a traditional spokeshave.
Dec 06, 2013
Spokeshaves come in a whole host of shapes and sizes, and are used by a variety of craftsmen—from coopers and cabinet-makers, to wheelwrights and pattern-makers. They excel at leaving a glass-smooth, handplaned finish on workpieces with curved edges.
In this short video, furniture-maker Garrett Hack offers tips on how to use a traditional spokeshave, including techniques for starting a cut, proper body position, and more.
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Comments
Excellent video article Mr Hack, thank you. I can see that in both sharpening my blades and properly developing my technique with my spokeshaves I have quite a way to go to get the fine and full shavings that you get but prevail (and practice) I shall. Thank you for the inspiration
Great video. Answers a lot of questions I had about spokeshaves.
I could watch/listen to Garret Hack all day. He's great at showing and explaining his techniques... right up there alongside Tim Rousseau.
I have enjoyed seeing this Garret Hack clip previously and yet the level of hand tool skill still surprises me. To develop that type of muscle memory where he responds by changing the cut so smoothly to changes in direction ,angle and grain, must take incredible focus and years of practice, not to mention the perfectly prepared tools.
"...I also like the connection I feel to my work", the glint in the eye and the slight change in the voice when we say things like that - the moment of truth. this is why we become and stay woodworkers. no other reason, realy.
A huge thanks to Mr. Hack for this fantastic moment. I feel connected. And humbled and inspired by your huge skill.
I've watched Garrett do this in person, and on great videos like this. He's simply inspiring. So - off to the shop I go!
My problem would be getting the blade sharp enough to cut through like Garrett does in the video. Another video on how to sharpen a spokeshaves blade.
You're in luck, there's actually a video demonstrating exactly that, implementing Chris Gochnour's sharpening jig:
https://www.finewoodworking.com/2014/12/03/how-to-sharpen-a-spokeshave
It’s difficult to not have a wavy edge where two spoke-shaved surfaces meet. That used to bother me, but then I started to prefer the hand-made imperfection over a router cut that’s perfect.
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