Edward Preston Spokeshave 1391 Review By: I.Ball
Category: Old Spokeshaves
Manufacturer: Edward Preston
Tool Type: Spokeshave
Model No: 1391
This Edward Preston spokeshave is referred to as the 1391 due to an
early Edward Preston tool catalogue reference. The spokeshave itself
doesn't have a model number marked on it.
The spokeshave is a 10 inch wide, adjustable spokeshave with decorative
hooped raised arms and a decorative lever cap.
The spokeshave was made from cast iron and coated in a nickel plating.
The nickel plating gave the spokeshave a bright finish while protecting
the shave from rusting.
Due to the age of these spokeshaves it is common to find these with
some loss, even complete loss of plating.
This spokeshave is classed as an adjustable spokeshave due to there being a fine
adjustment mechanism for adjusting the blade.
The 51mm (2 inch) wide best cast steel blade on this Preston spokeshave locates
with the fine adjustment mechanism at the top of the blade.
The blade is adjusted by loosening the lever cap and then turning the knurled nut
at the top of the blade.
Some of these spokeshaves have a lateral wing adjuster which allows the cutter to
be adjusted laterally. This adjustment allows the blade to be accurately adjusted
sideways so as to set the cutting edge square with the face of the shave.
The blade is secured in place with the use of a thumb screw.
The Edward Preston spokeshave 1391 was available with either a flat sole / straight
bottom or a curved sole / round bottom.
The flat sole / straight bottom is suitable for fine shaping and shaving applications
especially for working concave curved edges.
The curved sole / round bottom is suitable for fine shaping and shaving applications
especially for working concave curved edges.
The tool can be used by pushing or pulling the shave, usually it is used by pushing
the shave.
The spokeshave is usually used with the cutter set in the bevel-down position with
a good sharp edge.
The hollow hoops on the handles have the dual function of offering the user extra
grip as well as offering the user the opportunity of hanging the spokeshave from
a wall hook / nail.
The spokeshave shown in the adjacent photograph is slightly different in design
to the usual design of the Preston 1391 spokeshave.
This particular spokeshave has a different styled blade with a different styled
fine blade adjuster.
The lever cap is also secured by a nut opposed to a thumb screw.
I am unsure at this time if this is a different type under the same spokeshave number
or if this had a different spokeshave number.
The spokeshave shown in the adjacent photograph has a different finish to most
Preston 1391 spokeshaves.
This particular spokeshave has a dark green finish.
I believe this is a genuine finish due to seeing more than a couple of other examples
of Preston spokeshaves with a dark green finish, also this was the colour of the
Preston planes in the late 1920's / early 1930's.
The blade on this particular spokeshave design was marked 'E. Preston & Sons, Birm, Eng'.
Body:
cast steel
Lever Cap:
cast steel
Blade Adjuster:
steel
Spokeshave finish:
black or nickel plate
Length:
254mm (10 inch)
Edward Preston Spokeshave 1391 Blade / Cutter
Cutter: best cast steel
Cutter Width: 51mm (2 inch)
"Prestons" - found on the surface of one arm.
"Patent" - found on the surface of the other arm.
<1909 - 1912>
Decorative Edward Preston spoke-shave
Edward Preston spoke-shave with hooped handles
....
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