Tool ID

[Richard Jones]

Co-worker gave me this gouge today. My question is: is it a carving gouge or a turning gouge? Doesn't look like my woodturning gouges, but it IS pretty old...........

Metal is approx. 9 3/8" in length, 1" across gouge, overall with handle is approx. 14". Marked "James Swan Co. USA".

Thanks in advance.

Rich in VA

http://photos.imageevent.com/richinva/turning/misc/websize/gouge005.JPG

[Dennis McDonaugh]

Richard, thats an outcannel gouge used for shaping wood, not a turning gouge. Swann is a good band too.

[Richard Jones]

Thanks, I really didn't think it was a turning gouge. My co-worker indicated that he had turned some stuff with it, but I'd be scared of it on a bowl.

Appreciate the reply.

Rich

[John Timberlake]

With the socket, it was probably intended for carpenters to use for curved cuts. Back when carpenters did more than put trusses on preformed walls.

A few years ago, I was at an antique fair. There was a set of socket firmer chisels from 1/4" to 2" plus and 1/8" mortising chisel for $75. The seller thought they were turning tools. Guess he was not a woodworker.