Hey Ken!!
I used that roughing gouge for about 10 years, before I came to IAP. As you know, I have often said, sharpening is not my strong suit!!! So, with a nice dull tool and lousy technique, I was able to make hundreds of pens and bend dozens of mandrels!!
When I learned to use the skew, it was a MUCH easier tool to sharpen. As for the profile--every skew I use (half a dozen) has a different profile--no reason--just the way they ended up. So, I find the sharp spot that seems to cut easily and proceed.
I believe I reverted to the point of the gouge because of the hardness of this material. I would use the wings to cut acrylic, but taking the corners off this stone seemed like "single point contact" was the most likely to succeed.
Those who ask if I am scraping---no. The tool is cutting on the front edge. Sometimes it IS near parallel to the ground, but doesn't actually GET parallel.