Henry taylor palm V tool.

Crazy_carver · #1 10-15-2005, 04:26 PM

Hi,
I'm having problems with a small Henry taylor v-tool (came as part of a set of 6). On side keeps crumbling so the edge is sloping back at about 45* the other side is fairly sharp. The V in the middle is ground of center by about 0.5mm. The fat side is the one that keeps crumbling (a big triangle about 3mm * 4 keeps breaking off as same as a bur would). Is this because the V isn't ground in the center (on side is thicker than the other), or is it my sharpening technique not right. All the other Taylor tools I got cut really well once sharpened properly.

Thanks for any help,

-Chris

Crazy_carver · #2 10-16-2005, 12:16 PM

Thanks Rick. I'll try changing the bevel see if that helps, though I am running low on metal with such a small tool!

Mitchell · #3 10-16-2005, 01:00 PM

I have three Henry Taylor v tools and all of them are a little "off center".....

I have been able to keep the 1/4" in good working shape, but the other two (smaller) basically are waiting to be worked on. I use soem others (Pfeil) that are the same sizes. I have a complete set of Henry Taylor palm tools and really like them.

kaiserb · #4 10-16-2005, 01:19 PM

This is the second or third post I have seen about HT V tools being off center.

I think the Henry Taylors quality control has gone to the dogs.

wade clark · #5 10-16-2005, 01:50 PM

Brian,
When I had just started buying gouges and chisels (I'd bought a couple Ashley Iles off ebay), I was in NYC for a few days and tracked down a shop that sold Henry Taylor. I'd almost bought a set from Woodcraft Supply before going to NYC, but decided to wait until I could see some in person on the trip. I couldn't believe how "unfinished" the Henry Taylors were compared to the Ashley Iles. There were a few hundred tools there. They all needed sharpening and had a fairly rough black finish, rather than the perfectly polished extremely sharp Ashley Iles. They were a little less money, but they didn't appear to be close to the same tools.
Needless to say, I bought Ashley Iles instead. If I'd never seen the difference I'm sure I'd have been happy with the HT's, but seeing the difference...one seemed mass-produced, as they are, and the other seemed like works of art individually made by hand by true Craftsmen, as they are.
In the hands of a talented carver, one may be as useful as the other, but there's no comparison in the detail of craftsmanship in the tools.
That said, I've broken out the sides of 2 Ashley Iles V tools, but I really think it was an "operator problem", the price paid for learning. Rick fixed one for me, and the other will be headed his way!
Wade

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiserb

This is the second or third post I have seen about HT V tools being off center.

I think the Henry Taylors quality control has gone to the dogs.

Crazy_carver · #6 10-16-2005, 03:22 PM

I've managed to get it reasonably sharp(after hours of "honing"), but not as sharp as any of the other henry taylors. The two bevels still aren't perfectly aligned though. I'm very pleased with all the other HT gouges I've got though! Also I like the blackened unfinished look

.

-Chris

Old_Gord · #7 10-17-2005, 12:41 PM

KaiserB , do you have any personal experience with any HT tools lacking in "quality control" or is the basis for your "unwarranted but factual advice" just the two or three posts you have read about HT V tools being off center?

.

OG(Lets just say I'm interested as I'm a long time satisfied HT tool user)

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiserb

This is the second or third post I have seen about HT V tools being off center.

I think the Henry Taylors quality control has gone to the dogs.

Mitchell · #8 10-17-2005, 02:05 PM

I have NO complaints with my HT tools. Even though I did have the same trouble with my v tools, it is not an uncommon problem - with most tool makers.

I like to "tweak" my tools before using, and therefore the HT are perfect for me as they come needing a little polishing. That's one of the reasons that they are a little cheaper too....you don't pay for the extra polishing.

kaiserb · #9 10-17-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old_Gord

KaiserB , do you have any personal experience with any HT tools lacking in "quality control" or is the basis for your "unwarranted but factual advice" just the two or three posts you have read about HT V tools being off center?

[img]images/smilies/food-smiley-004%5B1%5D.gif[/img].

OG(Lets just say I'm interested as I'm a long time satisfied HT tool user)

.

By the grammatical juxtaposition of my statements the answer should be obvious.

I was not trying to advocate one brand over or under another. I was making an observation based on the posts I have seen of late regarding off center V tools. That is definately a quality issue as an off center V tool will not work as intended. Just as a car with steering is out of alignment does not work as intended.

My personal loyalty is not to any brand of carving tool. I have owned and currently own a number of brands of tools. (I was actually thinking of putting together a rating system for the different brands, but that is a whole other subject). You can read my comments regarding tools in this excerpt from "Notes from the Net" circia 2002 http://eeul.com/carvings/tools.htm

If you want some HT V tool bashing you can check out:

http://www.inthewoodshop.org/reviews/carving.shtml#ab

Old_Gord · #10 10-17-2005, 05:03 PM

Hmmm, wouldn't it have taken less bafflegab just to reply with a yes or a no as to your personal experience with HT tools?
Not looking to start a flame nor an argument, but to see a generalized statement (on the internet) based on two or three posts about a product from a campany that has been in the business of producing "hand forged" quality carving tools for over 170 years, and a advertiser in WCI as well, just thought it needed some clarification if only for my own satisfaction .
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, unfortunately what with the expanse of the internet things get repeated as though it were fact when in fact it might just be mere speculation.

Lastly using 50 cent words as an excuse for bafflegab just doesn't cut it with me either, amusing , entertaining, but still bafflegab.

Thanks form the reply much appreciated.

.
OG

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiserb

By the grammatical juxtaposition of my statements the answer should be obvious.

I was not trying to advocate one brand over or under another. I was making an observation based on the posts I have seen of late regarding off center V tools. That is definately a quality issue as an off center V tool will not work as intended. Just as a car with steering is out of alignment does not work as intended.

My personal loyalty is not to any brand of carving tool. I have owned and currently own a number of brands of tools. (I was actually thinking of putting together a rating system for the different brands, but that is a whole other subject). You can read my comments regarding tools in this excerpt from "Notes from the Net" circia 2002 http://eeul.com/carvings/tools.htm

If you want some HT V tool bashing you can check out:

http://www.inthewoodshop.org/reviews/carving.shtml#ab