No. 1 Spokeshave

No. 1 Spokeshave Production 1884 to 1928*

Length 10” Iron Curved

The No. 1 is commonly referred to as the “Cigar Shave” was invented by Albert D. Goodell and was patented on February 19, 1884 (no. 293,651). The catalog describes the tool this way. “Metal parts polished and nickeled, rare tropical wood handles. Circular shape permitting the tool to work in small circles. Knife so pitched that it cuts instead of scraping the grain of the wood. Either handle removable for working in cramped quarters. Length, 10 inches”.

The 1887 catalog names this tool as the “Goodell Spokeshave”, not the No. 1. The initial version had a groove on either side of the metal body. In the 1894 catalog, the model number is now the Millers Falls No. 1, and the picture still shows the grooved body. If we fast forward to 1914, the groove is gone and the body is smooth on either end. In 1929 when Millers Falls released their line of planes, the No. 1 was dropped from the lineup. *

Now to try and date these based on the trademarks and the features found on the spokeshave.

  1. The earlies version has a groove on the body and a double threaded screw with a spacer in the middle the same diameter as the body. The patent 293651 drawing has this configuration. This version does not have a trademark stamp. The length of the metal body with the spacer is 4-3/16”. EST 1884

  2. The next version has all the features of the previous version, but it has the stamp “PAT FEB 19, 1884”. This version may have been in the 1887 catalog as the “Goodell Spokeshave”. The length of the metal body with the spacer is 4-3/16”. EST 1887.

  3. The stamp was changed to include the Millers Falls Co. as “MF CO. MILLERS FALLS MASS / PAT FEB 19, 1884”. The length of the metal body with the spacer is 4-3/16” EST 1894.

  4. Millers Falls draftsman figured out how to eliminate the spacer and use a double threaded bolt to attach the handles. The groove in the metal body is also eliminated. This version has the same stamp as before “MF CO. MILLERS FALLS MASS / PAT FEB 19, 1884”. The length of the metal body is now 3-29/32” EST between1894 and 1914.

  5. The Star years will have the Millers Falls Tool Star trademark with the stamp “MILLERS FALLS CO. / MILLERS FALLS MASS. USA”. The metal body length is further reduced to 3-27/32. EST 1914.

  6. The last trademark has the “SINCE 1868” in the no touch triangle. EST 1921.

A group of No. 1 spokeshaves

A group of No. 1 spokeshaves

The spokeshave on the top does not have a stamp on the body. Based on the width of the body and spacer, this version may have been the initial release. The bottom spokeshave only has a patent number. The 1887 catalog refers to this tool as the Goodel

The spokeshave on the top does not have a stamp on the body. Based on the width of the body and spacer, this version may have been the initial release. The bottom spokeshave only has a patent number. The 1887 catalog refers to this tool as the Goodell Spokeshave. That may explain why the Millers Falls name is not on the body.

The top stamp was seen in the late 1890's through the early 1900's. The bottom stamp is the known star trademark that was applied to all tools starting around 1914.

The top stamp was seen in the late 1890's through the early 1900's. The bottom stamp is the known star trademark that was applied to all tools starting around 1914.

The "Since 1886" trademark wrapped around the body.

The "Since 1886" trademark wrapped around the body.

Either handle can be unscrewed.

Either handle can be unscrewed.

The earlies version with no stamp on the left. Next is just a patent date. The third is the MF Co trademark. The last spokeshave on the right is the Since 1868 trademark. Also note the latest version has a different handle configuration.

The earlies version with no stamp on the left. Next is just a patent date. The third is the MF Co trademark. The last spokeshave on the right is the Since 1868 trademark. Also note the latest version has a different handle configuration.

Mix group. The early versions have the wider metal between the handle and the grove in the body. The later versions do not have a grove in the metal body.

Mix group. The early versions have the wider metal between the handle and the grove in the body. The later versions do not have a grove in the metal body.

Patent 293651 Feb 19 1884.jpg
This is an example of what you should never do to these spokeshaves. By lowering the bed, the iron needs to be rotated away from the bed which could affect the clamping screws with securing the iron. The only surface on any No. 1 spokeshave that need

This is an example of what you should never do to these spokeshaves. By lowering the bed, the iron needs to be rotated away from the bed which could affect the clamping screws with securing the iron. The only surface on any No. 1 spokeshave that needs metal removed is to sharpen the iron.