Replies

1. 
   Bob_Van_Dyke | Jan 22, 2007 04:18am | #1

   Larry- The two tools are quite different although, at a glance, they do look similar.
   The spoke shave is like a mini handplane with a very short sole (around 1 ") The leading edge of the iron cuts into the wood in much the same way as a handplane. The spokeshave excells at cutting and smoothing curved surfaces, be it end grain or flat grain.
   The cabinet scraper (the Stanley # 80 is probably the most common)is like a card scraper (also called a "hand scraper") in a holder with a flat sole (usually around 3 inches long). The cutting edge of any scraper is a fine sharp hook which is actually a steel burr. This is formed with a burnisher after the initial sharpening. The scraper iron is tilted forward in use with the burr cutting into the wood and "scraping" up a very thin feathery shaving.
   The cabinet scraper is usually used to flatten and smooth a large surface. The great thing about any scraper is that you can surface even the most difficult and most figured woods without any tearout.
   Handplanes and spokeshaves on the other hand, can definately create tearout and are totally dependant on the direction of the grain.
   In my school we use card scrapers every day- even total beginners, but spoke shaves are only used when we are working on some curved surfaces.

   Hope that helps. Let me know
   Bob Van Dyke

1. 
   LarryMartin | Jan 22, 2007 04:50am | #2

   Thank you VERY much. Once I read your explanation the difference was so obvious.

1. 
   Bob_Van_Dyke | Jan 22, 2007 05:30am | #3

   You are welcome. Use them both- you won't believe how useful they both are!
   Bob