ASP Tools v M2

For what it is worth, here is my thinking, inspired by some better turners than I...

Regardless of how sharp your tool is, you SHOULD regrind before taking a finishing cut on a piece. It is worth it since it will save you lots of sanding. So, with most work, you will be grinding more often to make that last cut than because your tool is dull. That is the case for either M2 or ASP tools, so why pay the extra money?

Granted, you will occasionally grind an M2 tool where the ASP may continue to be sharp enough. That will not happen very often, though.

The exception -- I use the Oneway mastercut bowl gouges and these are M4 I think. I feel no need to convert to ASP here -- these cost enough as it is and the service I get from them is just fine.

Bill

Dave Walker wrote:

Dave, I'm probably an intermediate or average turner, but I sure agree with Bill and Derek. I don't know when a sharp turning tool becomes less sharp than it could be. So when the time comes that I want to be sure that a tool is as sharp as I can make it (and that's often), I need to resharpen it regardless of the steel.

M2 seems satisfactory for me. For that matter if not for the poor heat resistance and that otherwise top of the line tools are not available in high carbon steel these days, I'd probably be using them along with my old Sheffield steel Sorbys. Probably as important as the steel is what tools are in the set.

Welcome and good luck.

Turn to Safety, Arch Fortiter

Thanks for the feedback I think i'll stick with the M2 range and buy a load of wood with the extra money i've saved.

Looking forward to participating in the group.

Happy Turning Dave