Clifton 550 – Concave Spokeshave

The Clifton 550 is a concave spokeshave designed for shaping and refining curved surfaces in wood. This tool allows for highly controlled work on rounded shapes, and is especially useful for shaping furniture pieces or finishing curved surfaces produced by machines.

It is frequently used by carpenters in shaping elements such as curved furniture legs, posts, handrails, or other pieces with organic shapes.

Manufactured in Sheffield by Thomas Flinn & Co. under the Clifton brand, this spokeshave adheres to the high quality standards associated with Clifton tools.

Construction

The body is made of nodular iron (spheroidal graphite), an extremely resistant and virtually unbreakable material. The surfaces are carefully finished and polished to provide comfort in the hand and allow precise control during work.

The weight and balance of the tool allow the spokeshave to sit firmly on the wood, requiring only a smooth motion to produce clean, controlled cuts.

The fine adjustment system on the iron allows for precise regulation of the cutting depth, enabling everything from material removal to very light and delicate cuts.

Applications

The concave model (550) is particularly suitable for working on convex surfaces , such as:

– curved legs of furniture (e.g., cabriole)
– stair posts and handrails
– modeling curved surfaces
– finishing of pieces with rounded shapes

This model complements the Clifton 500 (convex) , which is used for working on concave or recessed surfaces.

Technical specifications

Type: Concave spokeshave for convex surfaces
– Body made of high-strength nodular iron
Polished surfaces for greater comfort and control.
– Fine adjustment of the cutting depth
Length: 254 mm (10″)
– Approximate weight: 425 g (15 ounces)
– Sole curvature: 2 1/2″ radius
Made in Sheffield, England