Brand/Manufacturer: Bastionhead
Style: Bevel-up
Blade Width: approx. 3.5 inches
Overall Width: approx. 14 inches
Handle Construction/Material: Quality hardwood with bandsawn finish. Fastened with epoxy.
The Bastionhead Spindle Shave is in essence a small bevel-up drawknife that has the handles swept out to about 45 degrees instead of closer to 90 degrees like most drawknives. This handle sweep gives more clearance between the handles and the workpiece in many instances, and offers a different feel and ergonomics that some users may prefer. Being bevel-up tools, they are best for working flat sections, straight tapers, chamfering corners, and the like. While they are quite capable for a small tool and can remove material with remarkable speed in skilled hands, they are not intended to be used with extreme force.
I make these tools to suit my own high standards of performance, ergonomics, and durability. They hold a good edge and sharpen easily.
Each Spindle Shave is handmade by me. I try to achieve uniform specifications, but there may be up to a quarter inch discrepancy in the blade width and a half inch in the overall width from their stated nominal dimensions. Wood species for the handles will vary, but will always be a quality hardwood such as ash, maple, walnut, hickory, black locust, honey locust, pecan, cherry, pear, or oak. Whatever the wood species, the two handles of a single shave will come from directly adjacent sections of a single piece of stock. Particular handle species may be available upon request depending upon current stock (contact us for more information).
I personally grind, hone, and test every blade I offer to ensure good cutting performance, edge retention, and ergonomics. The video shows typical Spindle Shave performance cutting dry hickory. They ship razor sharp, ready to work, and include a reusable plastic edge cover. A custom leather sheath is available as an option when purchasing.
Bastionhead Spindle Shave
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for a period of one year from the purchase date of any Bastionhead Spindle Shave. If you are unhappy with the tool for any reason, you can return it within the one year period and receive a refund of the purchase price and all shipping charges. Additionally, we offer a lifetime guarantee on the build quality of the tool. For example, if the weld fails or the handles come loose, we will repair or replace the tool at no charge. Of course, this excludes failures or damage caused by mistreatment, such as impact or excessive moisture exposure.
Most drawknives fall into two basic categories, those that are intended to be used with the bevel facing up and those intended to be used with the bevel facing down. Bevel-up drawknives typically are better for working flat or straight areas, for instance removing bark or chamfering corners. Bevel-down drawknives are more suited to contouring work, like shaping axe handles, curvy table legs, or spoons.