STANLEY Hand Planer, SpokeShave, Flat Base (12-951)

When I received the tool, I discovered that the back of the throat plate had not been ground flat, so I had to grind it flat myself with some elbow grease, as shown in the photos. Another benefit of the top brands is that their blades are made of A2 high-speed steel, which is said to hold an edge for longer and require less sharpening. I discovered that IBC sells a replacement blade for the Stanley tool that is made of A2 steel and fits perfectly. Both blades are flat and well machined, though the IBC blade is slightly thicker, which I don't think matters as much for a spokeshave as it does for a plane iron. Although both blades are sharp enough to cut right out of the box, most people are unaware that all steel cutting tools must be sharpened by hand before being used for best results. Both blades cut perfectly after being sharpened, and there was no discernible difference in their performance. Stanley does not specify the type of steel used in the blades, and because I only used them on a small project, I did not use them long enough for them to become dull and require re-sharpening. Sharpening is required, but I believe the IBC blade will maintain its edge for a longer period of time. Although I don't have a top-of-the-line spokeshave to compare it to, I don't expect the IBC blade to perform any worse than the top-of-the-line brands. br>And now I have to justify the 5-star rating. Because the tool had obvious machining flaws, I gave it a one-star rating. I believe that rating a product based on what one gets in a product that is more than 5 times more expensive is not only deceptive, but also unhelpful to potential buyers. When people pay such a low price for a tool, they should expect some rough edges, and when those rough edges are easily removed with elbow grease, it's like making a Ford Escort run like a Cadillac while still paying the Ford Escort price. Even if one buys an extra IBC blade that is almost as expensive as the Stanley spokeshave, the tool with two blades is still much cheaper than the top brands that are at least 5 times more expensive than this spo.

Maison Melton

| Nov 07, 2021

A similar Kunz was purchased at the same time. I needed two, so I decided to order one Stanley and one Kunz and compare them. The Kunz is my favorite of the two. The Stanley requires a little more preparation because the blade comes coated in lacquer, which must be removed before sharpening. The Kunz took slightly less time to sharpen, but both take some time to get ready for service. The Kunz is slightly smaller and lighter, so it feels a little faster in the hand, which you may or may not like.

Richard Kelly

| Dec 14, 2021

I came across a few spoke shaves in a variety of price ranges, a couple of brands I was familiar with, and was almost ready to buy them until I noticed they had negative customer reviews. Others were simply outrageously priced, and while I'm sure their quality is excellent, it's just a spoke shave. br>br>In the past, I had several Stanley brand and even some Asian knockoffs, all of which I purchased used. I never had much luck with them until I perfected the sharpening and holding techniques. I can't say I had any issues with the Stanley's, but the reviews were not kind, so I passed. There was an advertised sale one day, and I couldn't argue with the price, so I ordered one, assuming I'd get exactly what I paid for. br>When it arrived, it was clear that it was a Stanley tool. It wasn't a show-stopper, but it was sturdy and well-made. I spent a couple of minutes polishing the sole and dressing the edge of the iron. I got a lot more than I paid for, and I didn't expect anything more.

Adelyn Flynn

| Jul 11, 2021

I was overjoyed to receive it today, and I immediately sharpened the blade, flattened the sole, and flattened the sole. Then I replaced the blade, only to discover that the mouth of this spokeshave is too narrow for the blade to rest in, causing the blade to ride towards the top of the mouth. When you extend the blade, it simply hits the front / top of your mouth. At first, I assumed it was just a matter of getting the blade in the right place, but I took photos showing how the corners of the mouth are rounded, and how I'd have to spend a lot of time trying to file them down just to get the blade to fit properly. I'm giving Stanley another chance, and I've already started a return to exchange my bad one for (hopefully) one that can actually shave! Maybe I was just unlucky, but this item clearly wasn't tested or subjected to any quality control checks. So one star until Stanley can convince me that it is deserving of a higher rating.

Raven Fleming

| Jul 13, 2021

It appeals to my tastes. I'd give it five stars if it weren't for the fact that setup is a bit difficult for a novice like me. I felt like I needed to remove the shellac-like coating from the iron before using it. To get a good finish on the blade, I don't need any special sharpening stones. I did the best I could with what I had. I had the blade set too far back when I first set up the tool. However, after some trial and error, I was able to determine the proper cut depth. I haven't measured, but I believe I'm getting shavings that aren't much bigger than. 002". I'm having a lot of fun with my translucent shaving. I believe that with enough practice and proper sharpening, I will grow to appreciate this tool. br>Newsflash - 17th of September, 2015: The blade has been sharpened to a mirror finish and is razor sharp. It's a delight to work with. To all of you who gave one or two stars in your reviews: I strongly advise you to give this program another chance.

Rayan Potter

| Mar 02, 2021