Thread: Skew chisel question

IMHO. The traditional rectangular or square skew is the best to use. It is even better if the short side is rounded as in P&N and a few others.

The oval skew is too light, it is hard to sharpen without a jig (if using a platform), the bevels at the shoulders give very little support for "V" cuts and end grain cutting and lastly the oval shape makes it hard to do a peeling cut.

The curved cutting edge (commonly called the Raffan grind) has no advantages as far as I can work out, and yes, I do use one occasionally.

I would agree with . I'm not sure if there are any advantages to the oval skew and the curved edge just complicates the traditional use of the skew and makes it more likely to cause problems. Having said that I do like thinness of my 12mm oval skew for certain jobs and I do have curved shape skews that I use for shear scraping of bowls.

I am another one who prefer's the square section skew I find it far more easy to use than the oval section. The oval was supposed to be better for rolling cuts but I find it less stable than the square. And yes the short side of the chisel is much better if the sharp edges are removed by a slight rounding to that edge(it doesn't drag on the tool rest). But like most tool's you usually like to use what you learned with and have sucess with. I believe you should try everything you can but use what you're comfortable with. As with all skill's ask 5 people how to do a particular task and you will get 5 different approaches to the task try them all and use what work's for you.
Regards Rod.

Originally Posted by hughie

Question: What if any do you see are the advantages of the oval skew with the curved cutting edge over other varieties,types etc ? Or for that matter a curved cutting egde on the conventional skew?

The biggest advantage of the improved and endorsed by Famous Turner skews over the plain accursed skew is they more quickly remove $$ from the wallet of the turner and deposit in the account of the manufacturer.

Originally Posted by Paul39

The biggest advantage of the improved and endorsed by Famous Turner skews over the plain accursed skew is they more quickly remove $$ from the wallet of the turner and deposit in the account of the manufacturer.

Right on.

[The biggest advantage of the improved and endorsed by Famous Turner skews over the plain accursed skew is they more quickly remove $$ from the wallet of the turner and deposit in the account of the manufacturer

I reckon your right.



I must confess I posed this question and I had some thoughts about the oval set up myself. But as self taught turner with all the vagaries that this often brings, I sort the thoughts of my peers here, and I am of similar opinion.

The traditional rectangular or square skew is the best to use. It is even better if the short side is rounded as in P&N and a few others.

Something I had not thought of but will definitley be doing a mod. on my own one.

I have ahalf inch oval skew. PITA.

should have spent my money otherwise.

I ground a curve to one of my skews and after 10 minutes of using, regret slowly seeped through my colon.

The 3/4" or 1" P&N skew with the radiused (sp) bottom edge ground with a curve is a bloody brilliant tool. Can be used easily for concave curves (not coves obviously!), rolls over beautifully and simply for beads and the "point" does peeling cuts beautifully. The oval skew was invented by mongrels for simpletons with too much disposable cash/ Poor buggers who are easily conned by salesbastards because they don't know any better. I got screwed when I started long ago and have had a violent aversion to bastards with "new" tools ever since.

Simple straight forward tools that have been around forever take some beating. The turners of old didn't have a fancy cupboard with 100 different tools. They owned a skew maybe but usually just a gouge or two, a chisel and a few tools ground for specific jobs. They didn't have diamond laps, bench grinders or Tormek things, often just a small stone that ran outboard on the headstock. Most didn't have anything flasher than leg power.....

RANT ENDS!

Originally Posted by sjt

I ground a curve to one of my skews and after 10 minutes of using, regret slowly seeped through my colon.

Take another 10 and then maybe even another 10 after that. If that doesn't do it then you need a colonoscopy!

Hello Christopha, are we gunna see you at the Melbourne show this year?

From a beginners point of view, I started out with a cheap set of tools one of which was the oval skew. After pending a day at 's and get some tips on using the skew I then spent many hours turning bits of pine into shavings until I got the hang on it.
Then I went and bought a flat skew, dunno how much the hours with the oval skew helped but the flat skew is definitely alot easier to use.

Hi All,
I would call Myself a " Skew Man ", as I have I think 13 Skews, & this is counting Parting Tools & Beading Tools.
I agree with , but I do like the " Raffan Grind " with a curved Blade.
I do a Lot of Roughing Down with a Skew.
Would more than likely Rough Down with a Skew, than with My P&N Roughing Gouge.
I have some very nice McJing Steel Skews, approx 6 Pieces, & I can't fault the Steel in them.
I Rounded the Bottom, just like My P&N's, but P&N are My Favourite Make.
I have always thought that the oval skew, was just a Fad, & as was said it would be hard to sharpen.
I only use a 60 & 120Grit W A Oxide Wheels 6in. & always keep them clean.
Christopha, said he doesn't do Concaves, but I have taught Myself to do them, & with ease & Confidence, & is also a bit quicker, than having to reach for a Gouge. If it leaves a mark, the Sandpaper will remove it anyway.
I Absolutely Love My Skews.

I think I am in the minority here, but I love my oval skew, it is the tool I reach for most often during spindle turning. I like the fact that it slides along the tool rest easier and does less damage to the tool rest than a traditional rectangular section skew.
I do prefer a straight grind skew, mainly because that is all I have ever tried. I intend to try a rounded grind on one of my old skews, just have not gone there yet.