Reply by Rick M.

It seems like you are trying to improve something you haven’t used. The German dumbhead has been around for centuries with very little modification and for good reason; the English style is a tad newer but works on the same principle. That’s why I suggested you make working models and actually use them. Awhile back two prominent woodworking authors set out to modernize the shaving horse, unfortunately I can’t find the video at the moment, and what they came up with was pretty cool but very complicated and in the end I didn’t see that it worked any better. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to dissuade you just encouraging you to build and use the horses so that you know what works and what doesn’t.

-- -- Rick M.