Originally Posted by
deighaingeal
They take a long time to perfect what looks to be a simple task.
Mind you some of the old-timers called certain tools a spokeshave when in fact they were not. some older manuscripts are not the easiest to decipher because of this.
First thing is that these need to be insanely sharp. While occasionally a person can let a chisel, gouge and possibly even plane iron stray from its ideal sharpness, a spokeshave can cause some serious damage if it is not kept keen.
Another thing to keep in mind is grain direction. A master cabinet maker/bodger would keep a number of these tools on hand; not only in the same size to reduce time at the stone and different sizes for different sized items, but in different shapes, thicknesses and angles to adjust to the wood being used at the time.
If you want to learn a lot about these and other wonderful hand tools I would suggest looking up my late friend's show The Woodwright's Shop with Roy Underhill. Just search Youtube, lots on there.