GGs,

Some of you may be interested to know that Tim Kelly is once again
making his version of the Millers Falls cigar shave, as well as
replacement blades. I needed a new blade, and couldn't resist a new
shave, since the cigar shave is one of my favorite tools. Handles on
this one are zebra wood:

https://twitter.com/maxwellarm/status/402610703367827456/photo/1/large"
>https://twitter.com/maxwellarm/status/402610703367827456/photo/1/large

This replacement blade is actually too long for my old MF shave, but
Tim's sending me one that should fit properly. He says there's some
variability in the MF shaves, so if you buy one, I'd suggest sending him
a note with the length of your old blade.

The shave was $45 and replacement blade was $16, both BIN on ebay.
He said it was okay if I mentioned him on the oldtools list, but
production is slow due to his day job. Ebay id is bennetville.

http://www.ebay.com/usr/bennetvill
e

There are notes on his shaves in the archives. The fit and finish is
excellent, though the design is slightly different from the M-F. Kelly
relies on a back bevel, rather than the shallow mouth of the M-F.

https://twitter.com/maxwellarm/status/402622580487495680/photo/1/large"
>https://twitter.com/maxwellarm/status/402622580487495680/photo/1/large

-- 
Adam (who missed out on these last time 'round)
Port Angeles, WA

On Nov 26, 2013, at 12:30 AM, "Adam R. Maxwell"  wrote:

> GGs,
> 
> Some of you may be interested to know that Tim Kelly is once again
> making his version of the Millers Falls cigar shave, as well as
> replacement blades. I
SNIP
> The shave was $45 and replacement blade was $16, both BIN on ebay.
> He said it was okay if I mentioned him on the oldtools list, but
> production is slow due to his day job. Ebay id is bennetville.
> 
> http://www.ebay.com/usr/bennetvi
lle
> 
> There are notes on his shaves in the archives. The fit and finish is
> excellent, though the design is slightly different from the M-F. Kelly
> relies on a back bevel, rather than the shallow mouth of the M-F.
> 
> https://twitter.com/maxwellarm/status/402622580487495680/photo/1/larg
e">https://twitter.com/maxwellarm/status/402622580487495680/photo/1/large

I think $45 is what he was charging a dozen years ago when bought mine.
Originals have gone for more than that on that auction site. I do love these
shaves, but the MF version will conform to a tighter radius, so you need both.

Bill------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bill,
It's good to know I can count on for that little extra nudge..."I do love these
shaves, but the MF version will conform to a tighter radius, so you need both."

Sent from my iPhone
Brent Kinsey


>

> On Nov 26, 2013, at 9:06, William Ghio  wrote:
> 
> I think $45 is what he was charging a dozen years ago when bought mine.

He had one with maple handles listed at $40, but someone else snagged it. 

> Originals have gone for more than that on that auction site. I do love these
shaves, but the MF version will conform to a tighter radius, so you need both.

Of course!

BTW, I didn't mean to sound like a shill. I have no interest in this other than
excitement at /finally/ having a source of replacement blades. Anyway, forgot
the standard disclaimer last night.

Adam

I have a keen interest in circular cigar shaves. I use my Millers Falls No. 1 a
lot, even in the limited amount of woodworking I do these days. I’d heard about
the Kelly Tool Works shaves but never had a chance to buy one while he was still
in business. By coincidence I saw one up at the September Nashua LFOD tailgate
sale this year but someone beat me to it. That’s why when Adam pointed out that
these shaves were being sold sporadically on eBay I snagged one right away.

If I’m not mistaken, Tim was making these professionally up until about 2006. I
think they were advertised in FWW for about $89 if I remember correctly. They
were also sold through at least one woodworking website. I had a brief email
exchange with Tim after buying the shave and a few replacement blades. He’s
making shaves when he has time and wants to keep things low-key and fun. I get
the feeling it was the opposite of that the last time around. The prices he’s
asking on eBay are absurdly low in my opinion. I’d be willing to pay a lot more
than the $40 I paid for mine.

The new shaves are just as nice as the old ones from what I can tell. The
machining and woodwork is absolutely top notch. The Kelly shave does have a
slightly larger radius than the vintage Millers Falls due to the beefier blade.
It’s pretty close though. Both are smaller than the Cincinnati Tool Co. circular
shave I found the other day. The body of the Kelly shave looks to be exactly the
same dimensions as the vintage model. The handles are a bit longer and more
flared at the ends which I really like. The handles are not detachable like the
Millers Falls version. The  blades are a full 1/8in thick O1 steel. Mine came
with a perfectly flat primary bevel and a very slight micro bevel on the inside
face which is really the only way you can get these things truly sharp in my
experience.

Unlike Adam’s experience, I was able to fit one of Tim’s new blades in all of
the vintage Millers Falls shaves I have. The blade is about 1/16in wider than
the OEM blade, exactly 2 1/4in. You need to back out the set screws quite a bit
to fit the thicker blade, but it did fit just fine. It’s great to have a source
for replacement blades for these now.

I have no connection to Tim, other than being a satisfied customer. If you want
to get in touch with him I have his email address. You can also check that eBay
ID Adam mentioned.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving,

Josh


.. in cold, rainy CT. 33 degrees and pouring rain. The morning commute should be
interesting,



On Nov 26, 2013, at 6:05 PM, Adam R. Maxwell  wrote:

> 
>> On Nov 26, 2013, at 9:06, William Ghio  wrote:
>> 
>> I think $45 is what he was charging a dozen years ago when bought mine.
> 
> He had one with maple handles listed at $40, but someone else snagged it. 
> 
>> Originals have gone for more than that on that auction site. I do love these
shaves, but the MF version will conform to a tighter radius, so you need both.
> 
> Of course!
> 
> BTW, I didn't mean to sound like a shill. I have no interest in this other
than excitement at /finally/ having a source of replacement blades. Anyway,
forgot the standard disclaimer last night.
> 
> Adam
>

On Nov 26, 2013, at 20:59 , Joshua Clark  wrote:

> If I’m not mistaken, Tim was making these professionally up until about 2006.
I think they were advertised in FWW for about $89 if I remember correctly. They
were also sold through at least one woodworking website.

Yup, from a bit of poking around I did before pulling the trigger on one, they
were selling in that ballpark ($70+). That's about dealer price for a very good
MF #1, if I'm not mistaken ($60-80). And of course, you do need both :).

> I had a brief email exchange with Tim after buying the shave and a few
replacement blades. He’s making shaves when he has time and wants to keep things
low-key and fun. I get the feeling it was the opposite of that the last time
around.

You alluded to that in our off-list conversation, which is why I specifically
asked him if I could let the porch know that he was back in business!

> The prices he’s asking on eBay are absurdly low in my opinion. I’d be willing
to pay a lot more than the $40 I paid for mine.

Agreed 100%; quality-wise, this tool seems right up there with any of the
boutique toolmakers. I'll wait and see if I like the back-bevel approach; it's a
lot more aggressive.

> Unlike Adam’s experience, I was able to fit one of Tim’s new blades in all of
the vintage Millers Falls shaves I have. The blade is about 1/16in wider than
the OEM blade, exactly 2 1/4in. You need to back out the set screws quite a bit
to fit the thicker blade, but it did fit just fine. It’s great to have a source
for replacement blades for these now.

Good to know. Just so folks have a reference point, the new blade that I have is
2.264" long, and the original is 2.211" (measured with a Brown & Sharpe dial
caliper). There is almost no clearance for the original blade, so I would have
to grind a full 1/16" off to get it to fit…and that's what I'd have done if Tim
hadn't offered to make another blade. Even if I had to grind it, $16 beats the
heck out of trying to mill and heat treat one of these.

regards,
Adam