I made one a while back but asking if it is more efficient with bevel up or bevel down. Don't really see a difference. TIA.
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Presenting a Bedan tool?
- Thread starter John Torchick
- Start date
It would depend on what you are defining as a bedan. Several quite different things are all called 'bedans'.
Only aware of one. Mine is square stock with one bevel.
Well, square stock is generally considered a "beading and parting" tool. One that tapers on the sides is considered a bedan, at least usually. I present it to the wood bevel down. I also do it the same way as I do a spindle roughing gouge. Bevel high, and then raise the handle till it starts to cut. I only use one for peeling cuts and to form a tenon on spindle blanks. Here is a link to a Richard Findley video, and he is a master at using the beading and parting tool.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-XSNkGGiec
Wish I could do beads like he does....
robo hippy
Wish I could do beads like he does....
robo hippy
robo hippy, I have a parting/beading tool with a double taper. Bedan has only one bevel but the sides aren't tapered. I always wondered how woodturners of days gone by were able to function with only one tool.
The French use the bedan with the bevel up. It is THE most challenging tool in the quiver, John. Cut with only the 1/16" of the edge next to the leading side, with wood in spindle orientation, cutting into side grain. Also, put on a Depends before you try it out.
john lucas
AAW Forum Expert
I was pretty sure I remembered Jean Escuelon using the bedan flat side down but could not remember for sure. I was given a tool marked Bedan but it has square sides. The bedan i remember Escoelen using had tapered sudes.
Bedan can be used bevel up or down. Bevel down is more aggressive. Best analogy is a flat top scraper vs a neg rake scraper. Like a skew, the grinding burr needs to be stropped off, otherwise flip side use will not cut appropriately.
Agree that a flat sided tool is a beading and parting tool and bedan has tapered sides.
Agree that a flat sided tool is a beading and parting tool and bedan has tapered sides.
Doug, I have a beading/parting tool that is very aggressive for removing lots of wood. It is from square HSS with a double bevel. Bedan is the "typical" grind of one bevel. Will try Dean's suggestion.