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I have been looking around ebay for an old spokeshave for shaping a neck and heel. Any recommendations? Stanley #?? or other brand

Thanks for the replies
Dave

Dave-
I've got a little collection of spokeshaves and get them out every time I go to shape a neck, then find that I don't really use them!
A big Nicholson rasp for the shaping at the ends of the neck and then a small block plane to join up the ends does most of it for me. Then the rasps (Nick and one smaller one) around the heel and volute.
One tool that I find sometimes useful around the heel is a Microplane in a hacksaw frame (not the 'handled' ones which I've found useless)
http://us.microplane.com/30010halfroundraspfor12hacksawframe.aspx

For shaves, I find the ones with the two adjusting knobs are easier to work with. The Kunz ones aren't bad if you can't find a good Stanley.

Cheers
John

Vintage Stanley 151. With a flat polished bottom and sharp blade, the 2 setting knobs make all the difference.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

My favorite spoke shave.
http://www.stjamesbaytoolco.com/featured.html

You might hesitate at $95, but it's a real great value. Light. Tight and a great iron. You won't be sorry. Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

Greg N

Just took a look at Ebay, and was surprised at how few vintage Stanley 151's were there, considering how many thousands have been made.

I've been using a 35 year old Stanley 151, which is sort of in between the good old ones and the current junk. But I only use it to hog wood off necks before going to the rasps.

Google for a recent Popular Woodworking review. They thought the Veritas was the best current value at $65.

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Howard Klepper
http://www.klepperguitars.com

When all else fails, clean the shop.

I have the Veritas (from Lee Valley) that Howard mentioned. I really like it, but I don't get to use it that much. When not fighting the grain, it is great for neck shafts, but a couple of rasps & sanding blocks do the same job... If a little less elegantly.
I have a 12" X 3" plywood sanding block with 60 grit on one side & 100 on the other. I use it a lot, for rough shaping the neck.