The unhandled version of the smaller of Alan's two skews, also in powdered M4 high speed steel.
The smaller version of my larger skew and in an unhandled version. I am a firm believer in making your own handles--saves a little money and you create something custom fitted to your hands and perhaps your favorite wood. There is a long article on my site (www.alanlacer.com) under "Articles" called the "Forgotten Handle" that gives suggested lengths, woods, ferrule materials, drilling, etc. for making your own handles. This is a strong rigid tool made from 1/2" material with a taper to the cutting edge -- not given to chatter and flexing (like thinner skews and oval skews!). You will love this tool with harder woods. The area behind the short point is fully rounded to the tang, while the corners behind the long point have been softened. The shape of the cutting edge is my favorite, one that I have seen with production American turners from Arkansas to Maine--it is not a curved edge skew, but one that has a straight section from the long point for about 1/3 to 1/4 of the cutting edge's length, then breaks into a curve. If you prefer a traditional grind I will be glad to provide that (just email me: alan@alanlacer.com). The edge will come nasty sharp, by grinding, hand honing and power honing. Once you set it into a handle it is ready to GO! Like all skew chisels I only recommend this for spindle or between center work and not for face-grain bowl turning.
Manufacturer: N/A
SKU: ULTSKWU4
