Mystery gouge

Detail Gouge?

If it looks like a flat bar that was bent into a slight "U" shape (vs a round bar that was ground into a "U" shape), then you have a forged gouge.

If ground properly, they can be used where any detail gouge would be used. However, they're even better as a specialty gouge - grind a slight fingernail on them (the same type of curve you'd see on a curved skew), and use them for the inside of bowls, up near the rim, where tearout is most common. Think of it as a "bowl skew".

Sort of like this

? Excellent peeling tools. I don't fingernail mine, just grind a constant angle with a modest "nose" for cross-grain pokes. It's what we used to have before they got these newfangled gouges with fanciful names to work with. As DJ mentioned, it allows you to shear cut the interior of pieces with catchless bevel support, though it's only one use. Most useful pattern in my collection for spindle, faceplate, concave or convex cuts.

"George" wrote in news:pbAwi.37706$G23.18013 @newsreading01.news.tds.net:

Thanks, Hank

Thanks for the hints. I'll give it a test on my next bowl and generally just screw around with it and see what it can do. Hank

Here's one way. First is, I think, a "bowl" gouge. Other is obvious.

Same-O here. One of these days I'm going to have to put a new handle on this 1/8" thin forged gouge. Rattles a bit! The new ones are pretty nice.

Henry,

I have a 1.25" forged gouge and if I was told that I could only have one tool to use on the lathe that would be the one I would pick. I agree with putting a slight fingernail grind on it because it helps prevent catches on the inside of bowls.