Stanley Spokeshaves – History, Models, and Identification Guide for Collectors & Woodworkers
Introduction
Stanley spokeshaves are among the most important shaping tools in traditional woodworking. Designed to refine curved and irregular surfaces, spokeshaves have long been essential for chairmaking, wheelwright work, boatbuilding, and fine furniture construction.
Produced for decades by Stanley Rule & Level Company (later Stanley Works), these tools combined durability, adjustability, and ergonomic handling—qualities that made them industry standards from the late 1800s through the mid-20th century.
Today, Stanley spokeshaves remain highly collectible and are still prized as everyday working tools.
What Is a Spokeshave?
A spokeshave is a small, hand-held cutting tool with a short blade set between two handles. It is pulled or pushed along the workpiece to shave thin curls of wood, making it ideal for:
- Chair legs and spindles
- Tool handles
- Curved moldings
- Wheel spokes
- Sculptural and organic forms
Stanley refined the metal-bodied spokeshave into adjustable, mass-produced tools that outperformed many earlier wooden versions.
History of Stanley Spokeshaves
Stanley introduced metal spokeshaves in the late 19th century, expanding rapidly as demand grew for precision woodworking tools. Early models featured simple cast-iron bodies, while later designs added:
- Dual depth-adjustment screws
- Improved blade bedding
- Flat and round sole variations
- Interchangeable cutter designs
By the early 1900s, Stanley spokeshaves had become the dominant American standard.
Stanley Spokeshave Model Numbers & Descriptions
Below is a collector-friendly list of the most important Stanley spokeshave models, with brief descriptions of each.
Stanley No. 51 Spokeshave
One of Stanley’s earlier adjustable metal spokeshaves. Features a compact body and simple blade adjustment. Commonly used for light shaping and detail work on flat or convex surfaces.
- Manufactured: from 1870 to 1974
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes:
Stanley No. 51R Spokeshave
A round-bottom variation of the No. 51, designed specifically for concave and deeply curved surfaces such as spindles, round handles and cabriole legs.
- Manufactured: from 1936 to 1941
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Round Bottom
Stanley No. 52 Spokeshave
A less common transitional design with slight variations in body casting and adjustment style. Primarily collectible today. Used in places where straight handles are preferred.
- Manufactured: from 1870 to 1950
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Features straight handles, not curved
Stanley No. 53 Adjustable Spokeshave
An early and very popular model. Known for its solid cast-iron body and straightforward adjustment. Often found with flat soles for general shaping tasks.
- Manufactured: from 1870 to 1947
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Features an adjustable throat
Stanley No. 54 Adjustable Spokeshave
A variation intended for finer work, sometimes featuring subtle differences in blade width and mouth opening.
- Manufactured: from 1870 to 1935
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Features an adjustable throat and straight handles
Stanley No. 55 Hollow Face Spokeshave
Not to be confused with the No. 55 plane, this spokeshave was produced in smaller numbers and is relatively scarce today. Featured a hollow face good for round work like chair legs and handles.
- Manufactured: from 1870 to 1950
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Features a hollow face for surfacing all types of round work.
Stanley No. 56 Cooper’s Spokeshave
Not to be confused with the No. 55 plane, this spokeshave was produced in smaller numbers and is relatively scarce today. Used primarily as a cooper’s tool.
- Manufactured: from 1970 to 1923
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-5/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Made for work on barrels, but also used for heavy flat and convex work.
Stanley No. 57 Cooper’s Spokeshave
Used primarily for cooper’s work, but also used for flat or convex work where long flat handles are needed.
- Manufactured: from 1870 to 1923
- Length: 18 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Featured long flat handles
Stanley No. 58 Spokeshave
A smaller lighter weight spokeshave where lighter more delicate work is required on flat or convex surfaces.
- Manufactured: from 1870 to 1935
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Features straight handles.
Stanley No. 59 Spokeshave
Not to be confused with the No. 55 plane, this spokeshave was produced in smaller numbers and is relatively scarce today.
- Manufactured: from 1870 to 1917
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Features straight handles.
Stanley No. 60 Double Cutter Spokeshave
Has a straight and a hollow cutter side by side, well suited for delicate shaping and finishing work especially on flat, convex, and round planing.
- Manufactured: from 1870 to 1958
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutters: 1-1/2 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Featured straight handles.
Stanley No. 61 Adjustable Spokeshave
Not to be confused with the No. 55 plane, this spokeshave was produced in smaller numbers and is relatively scarce today.
- Manufactured: from 1870
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Features two piece stock and straight handles. Very scarce.
Stanley No. 62 Scraper Spokeshave
An improved design emphasizing smoother adjustment and better blade support. Less common but valued by users.
- Manufactured: from 1870
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Blade is set at 90 degrees to vertical
Stanley No. 63 Convex Bottom Spokeshave
A small flat-bottom spokeshave optimized for light convex and gently curved surfaces.
- Manufactured: from 1879 to 1963
- Length: 9 inches
- Cutter: 1-3/4 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes:
Stanley No. 64 Spokeshave
For flat or convex work in small or tight areas where there isn’t much room to work.
- Manufactured: from 1879 to 1935
- Length: 9 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: a small light weight spokeshave for light work in small or restrictive areas.
Stanley No. 65 Chamfer Spokeshave
An early specialty spokeshave for making chamfers up to 1-1/2 inches wide. Produced in limited numbers.
- Manufactured: from 1884 to 1941
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 1-1/2 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: for making chamfers
Stanley No. 67 Universal Spokeshave
A later-period model with refined casting and improved cutter seating. Had an interchangeable handles, two detachable bottoms and an adjustable fence. Useful for flat, convex, or concave work.
- Manufactured: from 1897 to 1941
- Length: 9-1/4 inches
- Cutter: 1-7/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: Nickel Plated
- Notes: Featured straight handles.
Stanley No. 151 Adjustable Spokeshave
The most famous and widely used Stanley spokeshave. Features dual thumb-screw adjustments for precise depth control and excellent blade alignment. Produced for decades and still widely available today.
- Manufactured: from 1911 to 1984
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: All purpose adjustable depth of cut spokeshave mostly for flat or convex surfaces. Easy to adjust depth of cut.
Stanley No. 151R Adjustable Spokeshave Round Bottom
A round-sole version of the No. 151, ideal for inside curves and hollow work. Extremely popular among chairmakers.
- Manufactured: from 1936 to 1941
- Length: 10 inches
- Cutter: 2-1/8 inches wide
- Construction: Cast Iron
- Finish: japanned
- Notes: Featured a round bottom version of the No. 151
Stanley 12-951 Spokeshave
A modern production spokeshave inspired by the classic No. 151 design. Still sold today, though vintage U.S.-made examples are generally preferred by collectors and professionals.
Flat vs. Round Bottom Spokeshaves
Stanley spokeshaves were produced with two primary sole styles:
- Flat-bottom models – Best for convex curves and general shaping
- Round-bottom models – Ideal for concave surfaces and deep curves
Most serious woodworkers own at least one of each.
Collectability and Value
Stanley spokeshaves are both functional tools and collectible antiques.
Typical value ranges (condition dependent):
- Common models (No. 151, 151R): $25–$75
- Early or uncommon models: $75–$200+
- Rare early castings or pristine examples: $250+
Factors affecting value include originality, blade condition, rust, and completeness.
Restoration and Use
Restoring a Stanley spokeshave is straightforward:
- Disassemble and remove rust
- Clean adjustment screws and body
- Flatten the sole if needed
- Sharpen the cutter (critical for performance)
- Reassemble and fine-tune
Once restored, many Stanley spokeshaves perform as well as modern premium tools.
Final Thoughts
Stanley spokeshaves represent the perfect blend of industrial precision and hand-tool craftsmanship. Whether you are a collector building a reference set or a woodworker shaping fine curves, these tools remain indispensable more than a century after their introduction.
Their enduring design, wide range of models, and proven performance make Stanley spokeshaves true classics of woodworking history.
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