Customer Reviews

Stanley 12-951 SpokeShave with Flat Base

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I do not use a spokeshave very often, so I was looking for an inexpensive tool that would get the job done. The Stanley Spokeshave was a good choice though I was surprised that the tool arrived in such a poor state. I didn't expect the blade to be sharp, but I did expect it to be flat. It wasn't. Had to spend time flattening the bowed blade and then spend time grinding and polishing the sole of the tool to insure that it was also flat. If your looking for an inexpensive tool and have an hour to tune it up, this would be a good choice. Tool worked great after tuning.

The Stanley 12-951 Contractor Grade Spokeshave is a good first spokeshave. It is easy to fine tune and easy to use. I was a bit disappointed in the sharpening of the blade and it had a rough sole plate, but with a little bit of work it is a nice piece. If you are looking to do your first work with a spokeshave and don't want to spend a lot of money on it, this is the tool for you.

I found this product very useful in the preliminary stages of guitar neck shaping, it did a good job in the roughing in of the shape, and I also found it good for shaping the guitar body as well.

This is a nice, solid and well made tool. As other reviewers have noted, it wasn't terribly sharp, the blade had grind marks on it, and the sole is a bit coarse upon arrival. After some sharpening, and lapping down the sole and the cap it is really good. No need to spend more that is for sure.

It is easy to find good illustrated guides to tuning up a spokeshave through a web search, and it only takes about half an hour to do.

This tool is a must have. Buy it. You'll never see these at the local stores at a reasonable price anyways. And, the kids at the stores will think you're from Mars if you ask for this. A great tool to have in the box if needed. Order the extra blade when you buy this. It's a lifetime tool.

I read previous reviews on this product and they had issues with this spokeshave.
I was ready to do what others did to improve the problems. Well, the company must have made improvments or quality control got better, because the blade was sharp and the bottom plate was smooth and flat. My son had no problem using this tool for the first time. He had cedar shaving curls all over the place. I am pleased with the product. I could have paid $140 for a Spokeshave at a woodcraft shop. This product is a great bargain.

This is the first spokeshave I've purchased or used and it worked great for me. I have recently ground the bottom face smooth as a couple other reviews said to do, however when I used it to shape my cabriole legs it worked great as is. The cast iron handles give a solid and easy feel. It was necessary to hone the blade first as is to be expected. I was happy to see that it was made in England and not China also. I have several Stanley planes that work great. They take a bit to get adjusted just right but when they are set I'm happy.

This is my first spokeshave. I had to experiment a little to get the hang of it. I saw other reviews that discussed the need to sharpen the blade. I really did not have a problem. After I learned how to set the depth, I think it cuts pretty good. You just need to make sure you get a feel for which way the grain is running and set the depth just deep enough to shave the wood.

I got this spokeshave to use in my bow making. It will take about 45-60 minutes with wet/dry sandpaper from 80 to 600 or 1500 grit to flatten and polish the bottom and to give the blade a good edge, but then it will really make some shavings. It even works decently on ipe.

A nice little spoke shave plane, not quite the quality of the old nice ones from a time long gone but adequate for the task. Not a plane I use a whole lot but invaluable when the occasion presents itself.

I am still looking for the guy what made off with grandpa's early 1900's planes and other tools, oh well, I will make do with the modern replacements even if they do take a bit of tuning up to get them up to snuff but once you get things flat and polished and honed you are good to go.