I find using a gouge that way is fine until it goes bad when the upper edges catch. That can happen doing deeper coves if using a gouge as a scraper.
I gave up trying only to use gouge and detail gouge to finish perfectly these U shaped coves . Specially on larger stuff like this 200 x 200 oak column. I may rough them in with gouge rolling them in from left and right the right way or starting them in a scraping action but I now have a couple of radiused scrapers that get them finished right safely.
The risk is not physical injury that worries me doing these coves its having to do the job twice if it goes badly wrong. There's a bit of time and wood involved getting a large turning like that ready for turning. Thank goodness for scrapers.
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