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need a new fingernail gouge

Nick Boyd

Nick Boyd

Joined
Feb 18, 2015
Messages
49
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Location
Pensacola, Florida
tell me your favorite 5/8 inch bowl gouge - i would rather receive it with the fingernail shape already there and i want a really good one- thanks
 
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I’ve been using D-Way tools for years. Dave and Doug Thompson are good friends. Both make excellent tools, With slight differences in steel composition. I prefer the flute shape of D-Way gouges - his beading tools are also superb. The 5/8 bowl gouge makes roughing fun.
 
I've used a lot of both Thompson and D-Way tools, and I've settled on D-Way because M42 sharpens that much faster and it can take a finer edge because the flute is polished. So it really depends on what you're after and what you turn. If you turn dang hard woods, I could see an argument for V10 and Thompson. It also comes down to which handles you prefer.

As for 5/8...it's a size I no longer use. I love Dave's big 3/4 bowl gouges and the finish off the gouge is darn good. So I rough with the 3/4 and then refine with the 1/2. Almost all finish cuts are with 3/8, but I'm fussy, and turn softwoods primarily.
 
If you are going with Thompson, get it from jamieson like Al said. I have both Thompson gouges, one from him and one from Jamieson and the shape of the flute is different.

I wanted a reference point for my Ellsworth grind so I purchased Crown Pro-PM with Ellsworth grind and used it to set my grinding jig and been using it ever since. I don’t turn much to need to use more than one though.
 
My go to tool is the Thompson 5/8 V or deep V. The 10V or A11 (same steel different designations) steel keeps an edge longer than any other steel and using CBN wheels I will never use all of the flute. I don't buy into the polished flute thing, look in the American Woodturner as there is a good article that compares powder metal technology to regular HSS. I should note that I like D-ways tools but I'm talking my go to tool.
 
Nick Boyd said:
tell me your favorite 5/8 inch bowl gouge - i would rather receive it with the fingernail shape already there and i want a really good one- thanks
Click to expand...
- thompson looks like it will be a while before he catches up
I have cbn and a couple gouges from D-Way - Yesterday I ordered the one which is the subject of this thread, from Dave. Thank You all. This thread confirms and reassures me of the go-to(s) for gouges
 
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