2024 Anarchist’s Gift Guide: Day 5

Day 5: Hans Karlsson & Jason Lonon Scorps/Inshaves

Good scorps/inshaves are expensive and difficult to come by. Most of the used and discount scorps I’ve seen are not worth messing with. I’ve tried grinding them and even cold-bending their handles in an effort to make them work. Most times the old tool simply wasn’t made for chairmaking and it will fight you at every stroke.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Lucien Avery’s inshave. It’s what I use on every chair seat. It’s the perfect shape for the shallow saddle of a stick chair. It has a long flat area in the middle with curved bits at the ends. The typical Dunbar-style scorp (which is circular) is difficult to use with stick chairs. (I know this because this is what I used for many years.)

So I offer up these two other options. They aren’t as perfect as the Lucien Avery, but the waiting list is always smaller.

The Hans Karlsson inshave is excellent. Almost as good as the Avery. It has the blade shape I prefer and the handles are quite comfortable. It’s heavier than the Avery, which makes it more tiring to use. But otherwise it is completely excellent. The inshave isn’t available right now, but I’m sure they will make more. There are also retailers for the company that carry the inshave, so it’s worth looking around.

The Jason Lonon scorp/inshave also works well for saddling stick chairs. I wish the middle part of the blade were flatter, but it works well when making a stick chair. The Lonon (also currently sold out) is the prettiest scorp I’ve ever seen. The fit and finish are top-notch, and so is the steel. 

Eventually the world will have a steady supply of inshaves and scorps. But not today apparently.

– Chris