Choosing a skew

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
BHuij

BHuij

Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2025
Messages
279
Location
Utah
I own two skews. One is a small 1/2" one with a square profile I inherited for free. It has been well used, and is very short. I don't know its brand or provenance. I can't sharpen it easily anymore, because the remaining steel coming out of the handle is so short it doesn't get over my grinder platform.

The other is a 3/4" Benjamin's Best oval skew. I can sharpen it okay with my EasyGrind system that has that offset tool handle base holder to get the proper angle for sharpening either side of the skew. But I can only sharpen it with a straight grind, there's no good way to get a radiused grind. Besides that, I find when I use it for peeling cuts, it dulls quickly. I assume this is to be expected from a budget, entry-level skew like this.

After recently spending quite a bit of time with both skews practicing my planing cuts, rolling beads, etc. etc. I think I'm ready to invest in one that's a bit nicer. I think a 1" makes sense, the 3/4" is a bit small for some of the spatulas and pepper grinders I've been turning lately. I also think I want to get one with a heavier cross section, made from square bar stock that I can rest on my grinder platform and sharpen with a radius. And of course, better steel.

These four options are available to me locally:

Cryotek - $67
Henry Taylor - $79
Robert Sorby - $94
Robust - $99

The Robust one is nitrided and has all sorts of technical claims about increased hardness and holding an edge longer than M2 HSS, though it also doesn't come with a handle (a fixable problem). Henry Taylor and Robert Sorby are both recognized brand names, but claim nothing beyond being M2 HSS. The CryoTek appears to be M2 HSS that has undergone a cold treatment that will apparently make it hold an edge longer. All of them except the Sorby come with the radiused cutting edge I want, so I'd have to regrind the Sorby myself.

So am I paying for a brand name with the Taylor/Sorby options? Is Cryotek steel inferior to Taylor/Sorby despite its cold treatment? Is the Robust tool really $32 better than the Cryotek? Trying to figure out if there's any meaningful difference between them that would cause me to want to spring for the Sorby over the Cryotek, for instance.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Hello,

It's a great question, and there are several notable differences between the skews you've listed. Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons for each brand to help you make a decision:

Cryotek Skews

The Cryotek is a reliable option known for its good edge-holding ability. While premium steels often show greater benefits in tools like gouges, I haven't noticed a significant difference in edge durability between the Cryotek and standard M2 steel specifically for skews and scrapers. Considering its quality and lower price point, it remains a very good skew.

Henry Taylor Skews

Henry Taylor is what I consider the "standard" for quality woodturning tools. They offer excellent value—not overly expensive, yet well-made with proper flute profiles, grinds, and comfortable handles. If you decide on a Henry Taylor, I highly recommend the Radius Edge Skew.

Sorby Skews

Sorby skews use good steel, but they come with a couple of drawbacks right out of the box. They do not have radiused edges, which means you will need to "soften" the corners yourself to prevent them from catching or "biting" into your tool rest. Additionally, the factory grind is very steep—about a 30-degree included angle. This isn't an ideal angle for turning, and you will likely need to grind a fair amount of steel away to set it up correctly.

Robust Skews

Robust skews are my top choice. They are excellent because all of the corners come pre-rounded, allowing them to glide smoothly across the tool rest right away. While they feature a nitride treatment, this isn't particularly beneficial on a skew since you will grind the treated layer away when you establish and maintain your proper grind. For handles, I personally use 10" Henry Taylor (HTT) Ash handles on all of my Robust Skews.-----If you are nearby, please feel free to stop by our shop! I'd be happy to show you the physical differences between these skews, go over the pros and cons in person, and even demonstrate how to sharpen them.

Just ask for Mike when you come in, and I will take care of you. Hope to see you soon.

Mike
 
SabertoothBunny said:
Cryotek are pretty nice from my experience.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear it. I'm leaning towards that one so far, just because I'm not convinced at this point that I'm going to notice any actual difference in edge retention compared to a Henry Taylor or even a Robust.

I will head into CSUSA and chat with you about it though Mike, thanks for the offer!
 
I use the Henry Taylors with radius edges. They are my go to skew and have them in different sizes. Use 1/2" when turning small stuff like pens and birdhouses.
just keep them sharp. As stated nice price range for good quality.
 
Still grinding my Harbor Freight tools, including my 3/4 and 1 inch skews. I did skip a drink and buy a Crown 3/8 inch bowl gouge. To replace the HF tools, I would have a time replacing them as there are so many good brands. Remember, Sorby has been in business for years. That should say something.
 
BHuij said:
Any particular reason? Or is it just that you've tried them and found them to work well?
Click to expand...

The professional turner who taught me which end of the stick you hold and which end you push into the wood recommended Doug Thompson's tools. I started with a bowl gouge. Based on how well that held a sharp edge (fewer trips to the grinder) I added a spindle gouge, a spindle detail gouge, another bowl gouge, a parting tool, a skew, and a bedan. (Not all at once - I accumulated them over several years.)

I have tools from other brands - a D-way beading tool, a Pinnacle spindle roughing gouge, and a bunch of Benjamin's Best (Penn State Industries "house brand") scrapers. None of them hold an edge like the Thompsons.
 
I'm also a Thompson guy for my classic tools. I have met Doug numerous times in person and prefer to support a 'local small' business when possible. This is pretty easy since his tools are really high quality - excellent tool steel, well ground, and hold an edge for a long time. His aluminum handles are nicely done as well - length and weight work for me.

That said, I also have purchased and like a few Carter and Son tools, as well as a D-Way skew custom shaped and sharpened by Eric Lofstrum - which is a really nice tool that gets used a lot.

No matter what you buy, really learn how to sharpen it. Crappy tools can be scary sharp - they just don't stay that way long. They can be a good inexpensive way to hone in your sharpening tools and skills as well as testing edge angles/radius's that work for you. Invest in a good CBN wheel or two, some good jigs for staying consistent in your grinds, and a slow speed grinder to power it. The tool brand and design will get you there while it's factory sharp, but it will need to be resharpened/shaped and unless you got that skill down, a great tool can become not so good if you don't know how to properly care for it.
 
NJturner said:
... I have met Doug numerous times in person and prefer to support a 'local small' business when possible ...
Click to expand...

Me too, but I didn't mention it because I don't know much about the other brands and was sticking to the product.

I won't say that Doug is a saint or that I agree with everything he believes, but at Thanksgiving he'd load up his truck and deliver a huge number of turkeys to the local food bank where he lives. When Jorge Castaneda (a turner in Maine) lost his workshop under a massive snowfall that crushed the building, Doug set up a unique fundraiser - I believe he sent every dollar from every sale over the course of a few days to help him rebuild. I got a couple of tools at the same price I'd normally pay, and the money went to Jorge.

So the tools are great, and the person behind them has done a lot that makes me choose to support his business.
 
duncsuss said:
I won't say that Doug is a saint or that I agree with everything he believes.....
Click to expand...
Duncan - I try and judge a person more by their actions than by their bravado. Doug is a bit rough around the edges at times but he has a great heart - proven by some of the things you mentioned - and there are many more. All of this 'believing' is made much easier in the simple fact that his tools are top notch, and he is very supportive of the communities he travels in. I buy from people not sales slogans, so my shop is largely represented by his tools. I also attend a reasonable number of local turning shows and have met some other people who think and act similarly and you will find their products in my shop as well. I always support those who support the community - both the turning community and people at large whenever possible.
 
Stopped by CSUSA yesterday after picking my son up from school. I guess I missed Mike (I was there not too long before closing), but chatted with a couple of the employees, and ultimately settled on the CryoTek 1" rounded skew.

The tool came not particularly sharp, and with a huge burr on one side, which is to be expected from factory grind. 60 seconds on my grinder and 30 seconds with a 1200 grit diamond card, and I had a really good edge and no more burr that I could feel.

I took it to a scrap piece of flat jatoba destined for life as a spatula, and... wow! My old 3/4" Benjamin's Best oval skew cut well and left a nice surface when it was sharp, but it felt like it was constantly getting bullied and pushed around by the chatter of having a non-round workpiece. I had to really focus on keeping things sliding along the tool rest in a steady motion that left a good surface. That generally meant taking extremely light cuts, and I still found myself needing to sharpen it after one spatula, and the ones I've done so far weren't even very dense wood; both cherry.

This sucker has some mass behind it, and holds its ground with authority against the vibrations. It cuts beautifully, even when I'm taking a heavier cut—and that's with jatoba which is way denser and harder than cherry. It feels like using the skew on easy mode. I only have sanding left to do on this spatula now, and the skew is not detectably less sharp than it was when I started. I was also nervous about the larger size being unwieldy or difficult to use for smaller workpieces, since I consider myself primarily a pen turner. Haven't found it to be a problem - if anything it feels easier to maneuver. Couldn't be happier. Thanks all for your help!
 
Glad you found something you like! Hand-feel is not something often spoken about here for tools, but it does really make a big difference. The metal used to forge your new tool and the finishing process is way beyond any inexpensive tool - and you will find it will lead to more turning vs sharpening time. Nice choice!

Kevin
 
Yeah - unsure whether I've gotten lucky and found a tool that just happens to be a really perfect fit for the way I hold and grip and move my tools, or if it's nothing more than discovering the difference firsthand between cheap tools and decent ones. In either case, I'm looking forward to getting home from work today so I can use it some more :D
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom