Skew Chisel

[ByronBlack]

I've been bin-dipping the bay for chisel bargains lately after selling some old tat on there - its satisfying recycling tat for tools with the wonders of paypal.

Anyways, I picked up a lovely 3/8th Marples Skew Chisel (amongst others, including a monstrous 1 1/2 inch Taylor bevel edge). And it's got an interesting bevel arrangement that i've not seen before

See pics:

You'll notice that it's not flat on the back, but rather the bevel(s) round inwards to form the cutting edge from both sides, what is this for? And whats the best method of sharpening this?

It's a lovely dinky little thing though, the old chisels i've been picking up from ebay are fantastic the bevel edges have nice shallow bevels instead of the very square ones of the kirschens I had, i've managed to pick up some nice wide firmers aswell, should be good for parring tenons!

 

[Nick W]

The best thing to do with that is finish off the process of turning it into a screwdriver.

 

[Colin C]

BB

It might also be a carving tool and if it is, Marples are nice

Can you show a pic of the whole thing.

 

[Nick W]

Colin, can you do any useful carving with a tool that shape - it has got no flat face to guide the tool through the wood?

 

[MikeW]

Carving chisels can have both single- and double-bevels. Most of mine I have shaped as double-bevels.

In practice one "rides" the bevel to control cutting depth. Most of mine as well are rounded double-bevels.

Nice score, BB.

Take care, Mike

 

[dennyk]

could it be a parting tool as in woodturning?

 

[MooreToolsPlease]

My money is on a skew chisel for use on the lathe

 

[Alf]

I'm not a betting woman but I'll be mighty surprised if that's anything other than a carving tool. A look at the whole thing will decide it in a brace of shakes.

Cheers, Alf

 

[Jake]

It might be one of Jacob's old chisels

 

[Russell]

The convex bevel skew has been used a lot by wood turners in the past and is being resurrected by Hamlet Craft Tools in their Eli Aversera range of chisels. Not tried one my self but apparently easy to use in woodturning not sure of its use in other types of work. The picture shows a convex bevel square skew chisel

 

[ByronBlack]

High fella's, glad this has intersted some of you, it certainly did me.

Here is a full length pic:

I also scored some of these:

Size comparison:

 

[Mark Hancock]

I was given a tool like this a few years ago and assumed it was a carving tool (being a turner myself and never having seen a turning tool like it). I use it to remove loose bark from a log mounted between centres prior to starting the lathe. Probably not what it was intended for but I've found it very useful.

Russel, there are a few really good tools in Eli's range. I was sent a set of them to try out by Hamlet and found the double bevels/convex bevels great to use if somewhat difficult to grind without a jig - I've seen Eli grind them freehand and been in awe. The large roughing bowl gouge is great for sending ribbons of shavings flying and a very versatile tool. I'm not a fan of the skew chisel but Eli's with the convex bevel is easy to use with a greatly reduced chance of digging in and getting that spiralling effect. The theory behind it is quite simply. With the convex bevel it is very hard to lift the bevel off the wood so the cutting edge is always supported so less chance of that catch.

 

[Colin C]

Hi BB

It is a carving tool and not for turning

Very nice but if you dont use it I know some one that could give it a good home :roll:

 

[David C]

As others have said, it is a carving tool.

David

 

[ByronBlack]

I think i'll grind a flat edge and new bevel and use it a as a skew tool for cleaning dovetails (was the intentions of the purchase).

 

[Chris Knight]

Byron,
No need to grind a flat edge just for cleaning dovetails. I use a carving skew with double bevel for this purpose - means you only need one chisel and not two as you just turn it over to do the opposite side.