This is Alan's first dive into gouges. After much success with the Uber Skews, Alan has created the most frequently used size of detail gouge that he and many turners use, the 3/8" width. What makes it Uber? Well, it is from one of the most expensive tool steels anywhere, powdered metal M4 HSS made in the United States. Powdered metal gives a much more consistent grain structure to the steel and this particular steel is an extremely high wear steel--which translates for a woodturner into signifcantly longer edge life. Very noteworthy is this feature: not only has the flute been milled but it is then followed by grinding. So what? The inner flute is one half of a gouge's edge. Too many milled gouges on the market have a rough (to very rough) surface finish. This has a huge impact on the degree of keeness you can achieve for finishing cuts. By grinding away the milling marks you will see a marked improvement in sharpness of the tool.
What's in a name? This type of gouge goes by many names: detail gouge, spindle gouge, shallow gouge, contouring gouge, fingernail gouge, ladyfinger gouge, profiling gouge or just plain "gouge."
Alan has gone with the name of detail or detailing gouge as that what it does: not very good for roughing but an excellent tool for detailing.
This tool comes unhandled. It is approximately 7 3/8" long. You can make a nice wooden handle (see Alan's web site for handle making, under "Alan's Artticles").
If you prefer a quick change handle see the Hamlet 9" handle for this tool or the Oneway 12" handle with 3/8" adapter. Contact Alan by email for either of these handles: alan@alanlacer.com
