I watched the video on proper use of the skew chisel (lew posted) and noticed how he had his sharpened with a slight curve, rather than a straight edge. I haven't see the curve before and it looks like a better way. I don't use the skew much, when I first started I ruined things, didn't know how to properly use it. 

 

Is your skew edge curved?

When I first started turning I had a set of Craftsman wood turning tools and taught myself to turn wood using these tools. 

 

 

I have since bought many more tools of different brands but still these Craftsman tools are my most used tools because they are so familiar to me.  I feel that all the tools are good and there are many variations to each tool but the best tool is the one you are most familiar with.  If you buy a new tool you will hate it when you first use it but truth is that practice makes perfect.  You can learn to love any tool as long as you take the time to familiarize yourself to it.  My favorite skew is  one that is straight across the end.

 

 

I use a skew pretty much daily and I prefer a straight angle. Actually, I shouldn't say that because I've never used the curved type. It just seemed to me it would make the tool more difficult to sharpen so I never  tried it. There is a production turner from England I watch on youtube and FB. He's the best I've ever seen and his preferred grind is nearly straight across. I agree with Dan, it's largely a matter of personal preference and what you get used to. 

 

 

 

Steve

I guess I’m the odd man out. I really had a lot of trouble learning to use the skew. I reground mine to the rounded style and ended up with fewer catches.

I like Lew reground my fav skew a Thompson 3/4 to the ellipse and it works better and I like it much better. Sharpening is easy just set the table on grinder to correct angle , place the shew on table and hold in place with the thumb and rotate. Look at about 8 min mark in this video.

 

6 hours ago, lew said:

I guess I’m the odd man out. I really had a lot of trouble learning to use the skew. I reground mine to the rounded style and ended up with fewer catches.

Me too Lew, I may round one and retry

I have no problem with the rounded grind, in fact I may like it if I gave it a chance. I don't tend to offer advice but I can tell you this without doubt. Whether you use a straight angled grind, or if you use a grind with a curve on it. The ONLY way to get comfortable with a skew is to use it, and use it when it matters. Lots of turners will will say they use a skew but when they get down to the nitty gritty they'll rack the skew and pick up a gouge. They will NEVER be adept with a skew doing that. Use the skew, make some firewood, and keep using it until you're not scared of it.

 

Steve

Steve you are so right . It takes practice and patience. Someone tells the story of a pro , maybe Alan Batty , who tells students to set up a 2X2 on lathe and practice every day for 30 minutes when first starting the day. Even when you get good still do this to remain good. Really the tool is not that difficult to use.I have even done a demo doing a Drozda style finiale totally with the skew.

I believe it is John K Jordan that starts new turners out with a skew.  He says they all learn to use it well which brings us back to practice and becoming familiar with your tools.

Edited April 13, 20188 yr by HandyDan

Steve your video inspired me to do my own honey dipper with the skew except used thin parting tool for slots. A fun project.

22 hours ago, HandyDan said:

I believe it is John K Jordan that starts new turners out with a skew.  He says they all learn to use it well which brings us back to practice and becoming familiar with your tools.

Dan John K is not the teacher that is just John.

1 hour ago, Gerald said:

Dan John K is not the teacher that is just John.

It is John K I am talking about.  He doesn't teach classes buy is willing to teach any children that show interest.

He has a farm too.  Raises Alpacas.

 

9 hours ago, HandyDan said:

It is John K I am talking about.  He doesn't teach classes buy is willing to teach any children that show interest.

He has a farm too.  Raises Alpacas.

 

Did not know he was a teacher. He is always saying not John.

11 hours ago, Gerald said:

Steve your video inspired me to do my own honey dipper with the skew except used thin parting tool for slots. A fun project.

Gerald, just want to make perfectly clear. I shared that video but it wasn't of me. I like using a skew but that guy is a magician with one.

 

Steve

5 hours ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

Gerald, just want to make perfectly clear. I shared that video but it wasn't of me. I like using a skew but that guy is a magician with one.

 

Steve

Just takes practice and I still have a ways to go. But doing much better that a couple years ago.