Large Shoulder plane or spokeshaves? Reviews?

[Eric Anderson]

I have not seen too many reviews of the Veritas Large Shoulder plane. Does anyone know where there are reviews on it other than Popular Woodworking?

I have the medium shoulder plane and the bullnose from Veritas. Love the shoulder plane, have not effectively used the bullnose yet. Because of that, I am looking for opinions of which to ask for: The large shoulder plane or a set of the new Veritas spokeshaves. I have a spokeshave that I use on occasion. I am always using the medium shoulder plane, but there are times I "think" I would like to have the mass and size of a larger one. However, the spokeshaves would add some versitility that I don't have right now. What say you?

[George]

Get the low angle spokeshave. It's an incredibly friendly and useful tool.

[Mike in Mystic]

I also have the medium shoulder plane and find it to be extremely versatile. In fact, unless you're planing to make some particularly deep tenons (>

0.75") you won't have much need for the large one, IMO.

I have the Veritas low-angle spokeshave as well as the set of 3 wooden-handled ones. They are all wonderful tools, and as you say, will give you a lot of versatility. I'm not sure if you know it, but you missed the chance to get the 3 for $150. I think now you'll have to shell out $205. Even at that price they are worth it. That being said, you might want to just get the one you feel you need at the moment and then get the rest as you need them.

Mike

[Noel Hegan]

Eric, there should be one here

not a US based review but hope you find it useful.

Rgds

Noel

noel dot hegan at virgin dot net

[Eric Anderson]

Thanks folks,

I am not sure I really need the large one based on all the things said here and in the reviews. To trim the tenons now I use the medium shoulder and the low angle block. It works fine, I just thought that I would cover more area with the large and cut the end grain with more ease, but I would still use the block anyway, so maybe its not worth it right now.

The spokeshaves. I have a standard Record flat bottomed one I have tuned. It works OK for the amount I have used it. Not sure how much use I would put a round one and I don't feel I should just replace the flat one. I saw the deal on the 3 spokeshaves when I was at AWF in Atlanta. Couldn't really justify it at that time and maybe that still applies.

Woodworking?

[George]

Well, as the owner of both, the similarity between the standard Record and the Veritas low-angle ends with the word "spokeshave." Kids have more push than control, and yet they can easily master the Veritas, where the Record, sharpened and fettled by the same hand, continues to skitter, grab, and mystify them. I own two, so that I don't have to switch between curved and flat as I'm at the bench, carving, though you get both convex and flat capability on the same item.

Put that low-angle on your Christmas list and you'll start using a spokeshave on a lot more things.