I'm a fairly new hobbyist tackling various woodworking projects, both big and small. I've been thinking about adding a spokeshave to my toolkit, which already includes #3, #4, and #5 planes, a Lee Valley apron plane, and a router plane. After recently treating myself to some Veritas seconds, I'm hesitant to spend too much again, but I also want to avoid getting a tool that's hard to fix or constantly needs adjustments. So, what's the general consensus on choosing a first spokeshave for someone like me?
5 Answers
The Vintage 151 is definitely the way to go, no contest. It's a classic and performs well for various tasks.
Honestly, you don’t need to spend a ton for a spokeshave. As long as the iron is decent, it’ll work. The 151 has nice adjustments, but you usually set it up and leave it till it's time to sharpen.
I have the Veritas version of the 151, and I really like it. However, I must say, it can be tough to justify spending that much when the vintage options are often just as good.
While vintage spokeshaves are great, Veritas has a nice lineup too. They don’t see a lot of use, but when you need one, it's a lifesaver!
In my opinion, a 51 is much easier to fine-tune for a smooth finish than the 151. I really prefer using the 51.