Making a Bodger's Shavehorse

I have often thought of making one of these, but I guess I have just not had enough need. I do make all our own stails, handles & helves, but these are easily made in the post vice or the bench vice.
Keith.

Great Video!  BTW, The Woodwright's Shop also has one show dedicated to doing this.  Oh, this could also be the basis for a Saddler's Horse with modifications to make the "Clam" or leather vise.

Gus

The Bodger's is often carried into the woods to avoid carrying wood back to the shop that turns out flawed or is ruined during the shaving process.

The primary advantage to one of these is the item being worked on is held in place by using tension rather than a clamp that requires being close or opened by a screw-clamp. The Bodger clamping method allows pieces to be quickly re-positioned in the vise, and consequently, a faster job.

Recently, I came across an item referred to as a "Bodger's Bord" that folds up and is highly portable. I'm not certain the design is older then the middle of the 20th century, although the concept is essentially the same as the Bodger's Horse. It doesn't require a bench, and can be used from almost any setting position with the "Bord" situated directly in from of you.

For leather-working, stitching, a "third hand" to hold almost anything, having a clamping device is worth having around the shop. If it can be made small and portable, there might even be times when having one in camp would be useful.