: 25-35 degrees; there is no standard ange according to Norton
: http://www.nortonconsumer.com/projects/ssharp.asp Picking up the tools
: again Ben? I was clicking around to refresh my memory on honing and found
: this other cool link http://www.antiquetools.com/sharp/index.html too.

The factory angle is 25 degrees.

: I haven't had a problem with mine but I recall several months ago someone
: complaining about a new Record spokeshave they bought (I think it was on
: the Bear Mountain Board). The cap didn't fit quite right and caught
: shavings; he smacked it into shape with a mallet... sometimes a new tool
: needs a certain amount of tuning.

Records generally need a lot of tuning.

1 - There is usually lumpy paint in the mouth on the surface the blade rests on. A thin file flattens the area nicely.

2 - The caps are often curved, as you mentioned, a mallet and a file will take care of that.

3 - The blades are generally not flat either, so flattening the back, then honing the bevel are required.

4 - The soles are roughly sanded at the factory, so I sand them on a flat surface with 220 grit, followed by 400 grit to get a decently polished surface without too much effort.

5 - The adjusting slots in the blade are a loose fit on the adjusting knob flanges, making precise adjustments difficult. Peening or staking the center of the slots will tighten up the fit.

6 - The screw stud that the cap engages is usually loose. A little Loctite on the threads will keep it in place.

If you're willing to spend a bit of time on them, you can get a Record spokeshave to perform decently.