New Custom Drawknife

I'm excited. I just talked to the local blacksmith and requested a new drawknife. Now that I've used an inappropriate one with my slapped together shave horse for about a year on and off I understand a lot of the reasons for the different designs.

I gave him the measurements for something very close to this one: https://www.highlandwoodworking.com/barrchairmakersdrawknife.aspx


It seems to be a pretty versatile design. I may get him to make more specialized drawknives and maybe a scorp in the future.

How exciting! I’m equally impressed that you have a local blacksmith. I’m wondering what the Japanese equivalent of a draw knife is? There must be one or maybe two tools that perform the same function that are of Japanese heritage. The reason I’m wondering, is the Japanese often take an imported idea and make something even better; Noodles to Ramen, Bread Crumbs to Panko, Wonton to Gyoza . . . Although I’m not too sure, but I wonder what prompted the idea of Okonomiyaki? Hmmm . . . I guess I have Japanese food on my mind this morning. Anyhoo . . . Really looking forward to seeing what comes back from the workshop.

Thanks for being excited with me Edward!

The Japanese equivalent of a draw knife is called a "sen". In kanji it's 銑.

There are some listed for sale here
https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/closedsearch/closedsearch/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B7%A5%E9%81%93%E5%85%B7%20%E9%8A%91/0/

The blacksmith specializes in agricultural implements, but he's pretty versatile.

He gives me a very reasonable price for the tools I've had him forge so far.

I have two different drawknives that were garage sale finds. Each was in poor shape and needed re-handling, so I turned my own handles out of a piece of birch firewood. I use one of them on a near-daily basis. It is very similar to the one you linked to and it has become like a friend to me. Occasionally, I pick up the other one and try using it but it feels completely unwieldy to me and I absolutely cannot accomplish anything.
I'm familiar with the concept of using "The right tool for the job", but I wasn't aware of there being a right tool for the user. What a difference it can make.

Blacksmith made me my second (and his second as well) draw knife.

I sharpened it a bit and started shaping my new wooden pancake turner.

There's definitely some getting the feel for it, but it's much better for this kind of work than the first one.

I can already see how you can shave with your whole body and not just your arms with this design.

Nice shave horse. That's a project that I've been meaning to tackle for years.

Me too, we need a shave horse "build-a-long" this summer...  I'll probably be too busy though :(

Mike Haasl wrote:Me too, we need a shave horse "build-a-long" this summer...  I'll probably be too busy though :(

If you'll cajole me, it might get done. I'll return the favour if you'd like.

I need to re-build this one. I need wider legs on it and I want to do a few knock-down joints on the various pieces.

Michael Helmersson wrote:

Mike Haasl wrote:Me too, we need a shave horse "build-a-long" this summer...  I'll probably be too busy though :(

If you'll cajole me, it might get done. I'll return the favour if you'd like.

Are you guys in cahoots? Are you cahooting!? I’d also like a shave horse, and might partake in some shave-horsey-making business. (More projects already than I can shake unshaven sticks at...😁)
I have someplace plans for a 2x4 built one. I’ve also just heard Adam Savage say twice, that one should begin as inexpensively as possible, to find out just how useful a tool is to your work, then, go ahead and spend as much as you can afford for the best tool you can get. So, mjne will be a 2x4 one for that reason.

I made one last summer at WL but it was kinda rinky-dinky - Mike's first-timer shave horse

I think the next one will be from beefier round wood with central clamp with a big knob head.  Or if I do the design with the pegs again, they'll be much bigger pegs...

If I make a new horse it would be an English bodgers style since I already have the continental style.

Maybe we really can try to organize a build along.

I made a thread for our build-along. https://permies.com/t/171827/Shaving-Horse-Build#1348527

Start with your intended design, follow-up when you have time!