Radiused (sp) skew

[Popeye]

A long time ago there was a discussion about Sorby's oval skew. In the thread was a discussion about putting a radius on a std skew. I'm having a hard time wrapping my feeble brain around what this looks like. Any one have a picture of theirs or better yet maybe a series of sharpening pics? Thanks Pat

[bigsteel15]

A long time ago there was a discussion about Sorby's oval skew. In the thread was a discussion about putting a radius on a std skew. I'm having a hard time wrapping my feeble brain around what this looks like. Any one have a picture of theirs or better yet maybe a series of sharpening pics? Thanks Pat

They mean radiusing the end to give you a skew that looks kind of like a curved scraper.

Like this one
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/cg...n&key=407-1055

[Popeye]

Thanks Brian, tomorrow or the next day I'll see if I can duplicate that with one of the skews that'll never get used if I don't find another way to use it. Pat

[kwgeorge]

Ok, beginning with a Skew 101. The first thing to do is to prepare the skew. To do this sand all 4 sharp edges of the length of the tool so that they are smooth and slightly rounded. Next make sure your tool rest is free of cuts and defects, if it is not then file it with a fine mill file to remove bad spots and then sand it. Once the tool rest is prepared get some carnauba wax and rub it on the tool rest. Now a skew really works well if it is very sharp and I mean VERY sharp. I typically hone them with a spinning piece of MDF that I made chucked in the lathe and I apply White Diamond rouge to the MDF. After honing to a mirror finish I use a leather strop and some stropping compound to keep the edge. The only time I re-sharpen is when the edge starts to deform from use. To learn the skew get yourself a fine sharpie marker and mark the very center of the skews edge. If you are using the tool long point up or short point up always make sure the savings are coming off below the line. This will help greatly to keep the tool from grabbing and skating and allow you to build some confidence with it. Going to a curved skew is not necessarily going to help you as much as you may think. Place your forefinger against the tool rest and wrap you 4 fingers around the skew. Place your thumb on the top edge of the skews shank and guide it with your thumb. Grasp the skew handle high on the hilt as you are trying to cut the wood not pry it off. While cutting with the skew when you first start try to keep in mind whittling with a knife.

This will get you started with the tool and then one you gain some confidence you can explore the different types of cuts made with the skew.

Hope this helps some;

Ken