I went to Woodcraft today to buy some finish. I was looking at the 1/2” bowl gouges. The have Robert Sorby and another English brand for $100 each. They also had a China brand but as soon as I saw China I lost interest. I went online when I got home and looked at Thompson lathe tools. I can buy the Thompson for $120. On the Thompson site they offer a V bowl gouge and a U bowl gouge. Is one easier to use than the other or give a better finish? Does anybody know the pros and cons between the two? I think they said the V gouge had a fingernail grind.

The "V" groove is more suited to what is known as the fingernail grind or swept back wings. The U shape is better for the traditional grind. Each has their purpose but a swept back grind, sometimes called a fingernail, Ellsworth, or Irish grind is more versatile as it can do a pull cut and shear scrape

. The traditional grind cannot. If I were buying only one, it would be a V groove.

Edited January 3, 20215 yr by Steve Krumanaker

Thanks Steve.

Plus one to what Steve said.  I would want both eventually as the traditional grind does better in the bottom of the bowl.

In addition to what Steve posted the U is difficult to learn to use effectively. All mine are V.

Thanks everybody. I think I will buy the V groove from Thompson’s when I can afford it. What sold me was the pull cut. I seem to do that a lot with the carbide tools.

You can get the cost down to $60-70 if you order just the chisel and turn your own handle. You will like his tools. They cut sharpening down to about half. 
Paul