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I finally took the time to build a nice shaving horse for myself, and I hope that it will come in handy on a set of Windsor chairs that I am planning.

While building my garden bench contest entry, I had finally had enough wrestling with my circa 1996 homemade horse. Although it worked fairly well, it was a struggle to use. (At the time that I built it, there was not much information to be found about shaving horses. Heck, that was practically before the Internet!) With a little research, I recently found a well-thought-out horse by Drew Langsner in his book Green Woodworking.

I decided to build mine from some scrap oak I had been hanging onto. It sure made this bench substantial. The legs are roughly shaved oak (as a homage to the bench's function.) I added a little extra adjustability in the throat because I occasionally tackle larger limbs for rustic furniture. I have used the bench sparingly since I built it, and it works like a dream. I look forward to using it more and more. I finished my horse with a little boiled linseed oil just to bring out some warmth in the oak.

I left my old horse outside for years letting it weather in the elements… I think I'll keep this one inside!

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Comments

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Wow, that is beautiful…one project I'd been meaning to tackle, and yours is a good example. I think you will really enjoy this! What a fine job you did.
 

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Really Nice!
 

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Very cool !! You did a Great job .

Job well done!!
 

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Well fabricated horse….....but being new to woodworking and rather dense at times…......what's it do and how does it work?
 

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nmkidd- Doug, shaving horses aren't seen much anymore, but they're as old as the hills! It is simply a bench with a foot-operated clamp. Step on the treadle and your work piece is held firmly between the bench and the head. It is traditionally used with a drawknife to shave wood to dimension or form round tenons, spindles…. I find it useful for many more activities because the clamping function allows the piece to be rapidly repositioned. Hope that answers your question!
 

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Doc…...thanks for the explanation…....wow…... already learned something today…......and still on my first cup o' joe!!
 

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Nice horse Doc be careful don't leave the shop door open:)) Really nice job.
 

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Really great shaving bench.
 

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That's a super lookin mule. I would keep it in the stall at night. BZ
 

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Next time I am going to shave a horse, I will have to refer to your build. It looks great.
 

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Sweeet!
 

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Nice horse! Bet it would be really comfy if it had a Windsor seat carved into it! You could add it as a saddle.
 

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Great Job, Doc!! I, too, have always wanted to make one of these… Someday… :)
 

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great looking horse looks well crafted by the looks of it it should give you years of service, another project to add to my list…
 

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Very very nice looking shaving horse! I always wanted to make one for me, but yours would be a big reference for me. Now you need to post some video of using this!
 

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i sure could have used one of these today, i spent most of the morning peeling bark off of oak branches and small logs. this one is almost to pretty to use, it looks like you can get some serious clamping pressure with those jaws
 

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Doc T.
You did one heck of a FANTASTIC JOB! Thanks for posting this project . . .It's beautiful!!
 

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Nice horse. Thanks for inspiration.
 
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