Historical information

A spokeshave was made with a wooden (usually beech wood) body and metal cutting blade. With industrialisation metal bodies displaced wood in mass-produced tools. The name 'spokeshave' reflects the early use of the tool by wheelwrights.

Significance

Used by carpenters and/or cabinet makers and/or wheelwrights in the Kiewa Valley in the 1800s and 1900s.

Physical description

The tool consists of a blade fixed into the body of the tool, which has a handle for each hand. It is a shaping and smoothing tool eg. curves and rounding and used after cutting with chisels or saws.
Ref. Pg 28 Tools for all Trades Catalogue