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The Skew Chisel: The Dark Side & The Sweet Side.
I strongly recommend this DVD from Alan Lacer - I have one on the skew chisel from Richard Raffan (which is also very good). I'm glad to have both as each takes a bit different approach to a very versatile, but a bit frightening, tool. I can't remember if Raffan's is The Taming of the Skew, if it is not then I have another DVD on the skew chisel (also good) - I can't find the old ones due a recent move where things are still in boxes.
Each woodturner has different skills with his hands, and no professional can teach you everything that fits your own situation (I am on a prosthetic leg, I can't do the body movement that both Raffan and Lacer recommend - I shift hand positions for the same effect). It is to your advantage to see each approach and modify it to fit your own situation.
And, I make a new paragraph here, SmartFlix has given us that opportunity. Purchasing all the possible DVDs of every craftsman's style would be prohibitive, the ability to rent from SmartFlix lets us see what we want to have in our permanent collection. My compliments to SmartFlix.
Best, Jon
Jonathan W. Murphy Englishtown, NJ
This is not a review, I have received a new copy of the Ellsworth Signature Gouge from you as the one you have just received was a damaged DVD. I noted on the front of the return envelope that it was damaged and that we had been in touch by email - I hope you picked that up and didn't put it back into inventory. I will make a review when I return the new copy (but I've looked at and it is excellent).
Best, Jon
Ellsworth has designed a fine gouge shape that he uses in place of several deep bowl gouges. His video is worth watching even if you don't choose to buy his gouge as you can apply his cutting techniques using several gouges you may already have. He uses the tip with its shallow bevel almost as a roughing tool, then works to the shoulders with the steeper bevels - it is effectively a long fingernail bowl gouge. You could do the same with two gouges, one shallow and one steep. He has some innovative cuts on the video that could help use your existing gouges.
Personally I have his signature gouge, I think it is worth it. But I won't throw away my old ones, I'll just use them better.
Best, Jon
Bill Grumbine's DVD, Turned Bowls Made Easy, is excellent. I have one quarrel with it, he doesn't clearly define the shaping of his chosen gouge - although he does show the sharpening process. I also have David Ellsworth's video that is specific to his signature gouge - and the gouge Grumbine uses bears a great similarity to it (not suggesting any plagiarism, both like a long side grind with a shallow bevel on the tip). I suggest that one watch both Grumbine's video and Ellsworth's - and adjust between the small differences of style to fit your own preference. I intend to regrind one of my old bowl gouges to an approximation of the Grumbine shape with a honed inside edge for better cutting, and retain my Ellsworth signature gouge which I sharpen with the recommended burr remaining. Each shows the same cuts, each uses a similar gouge. Ellsworth emphasizes the "shear scrape" cut which wants the burr, Grumbine uses that cut but emphasizes the shearing of the sharper edge. Just before writing this I roughed out the inside of a green oak bowl - and bounced back and forth between my traditional bowl gouges and the Ellsworth, finding each to be better depending on where I was in the process.
You may choose one or the other styles, but you should try both. They are only different in detail.
Best, Jon
