MRDucks2
Member
Okay, I admit I have been deciding on a new skew for about 2 years now. Hate to rush into a decision.
I decided on and purchased one from D-Way. I chose his 1" skew he calls a "medium" to ultimately replace my original Harbor Freight 3/4" that I have been using for about 5 years now. Nothing wrong with the HF skew other than the repaired handle and slight bend at the base of the shank. Just felt I was ready to try something a bit more robust.
I am pleased with the D-Way. It shaves wood right now with original sharpening on it. The level of finish on the turned wood is amazing and something that was difficult to achieved even with a freshly sharpened HF HSS version.
I had sharpened the HF skew to a new profile based on what Alan Lacer recommends and it was a big improvement over the original shape/grind.
My perception was when Dave indicated he used a "parabolic" edge on his skews it was the same as Alan referred to but it isn't quite. Alan uses a shape in which the first third from the long edge is gentler, nearly straight then eases into the curve. Dave's is more of a true parabola that curves across the entire surface.
As such, it does drive a bit differently. But in practicing on a maple blank it honest to goodness looked like it had been sanded and finished once I got a feel for it. I had gotten smooth with the HF skew but nothing like that.
Now I need to practice more. Being a thicker tool it has a longer bevel I am still getting used to. Still figuring out how to get it consistent all the way through concave curves. I do wonder why I waited 2 years now.
I decided on and purchased one from D-Way. I chose his 1" skew he calls a "medium" to ultimately replace my original Harbor Freight 3/4" that I have been using for about 5 years now. Nothing wrong with the HF skew other than the repaired handle and slight bend at the base of the shank. Just felt I was ready to try something a bit more robust.
I am pleased with the D-Way. It shaves wood right now with original sharpening on it. The level of finish on the turned wood is amazing and something that was difficult to achieved even with a freshly sharpened HF HSS version.
I had sharpened the HF skew to a new profile based on what Alan Lacer recommends and it was a big improvement over the original shape/grind.
My perception was when Dave indicated he used a "parabolic" edge on his skews it was the same as Alan referred to but it isn't quite. Alan uses a shape in which the first third from the long edge is gentler, nearly straight then eases into the curve. Dave's is more of a true parabola that curves across the entire surface.
As such, it does drive a bit differently. But in practicing on a maple blank it honest to goodness looked like it had been sanded and finished once I got a feel for it. I had gotten smooth with the HF skew but nothing like that.
Now I need to practice more. Being a thicker tool it has a longer bevel I am still getting used to. Still figuring out how to get it consistent all the way through concave curves. I do wonder why I waited 2 years now.
