junk gouge

[oldbearx2]

Hey all I bought a used Henry Taylor #7 10mm gouge. Everytime I try to sharpen it just seems to chip on the edge. I can hone it sharp but the edge is still real ragged and it shows up on the carving as lines. Anyone have any ideas as to whats up with it. I didn't spend much on it and it's the only Taylor I have and it might be the last. Harold

[Mitchell]

Harold,

It could be bad steel, or from overheating (at some time). I thought all Henry Taylor tools came in standard measurement (inches).

[AlArchie]

Could be you bought one of someone's reject pile.....once in a while even the best mfgs screw up and put out a bum tool. I have quite a few Henry Taylors and they all are good grade. They do need a little "tune up" when first purchased, but that is not unusual for most carving tools.\

On the other hand (are different fingers) it may be that you are using too coarse a stone on the initial sharpening and not using subsequently finer stones and then stropping the finished edge. Or the bevel angle may be too shallow, which MIGHT allow some chipping out when sharpening. Are you using a power grinder on the initial sharpening? If so maybe the temper has been drawn out, or it's been hardened beyond the practical limit which might explain the "chipping".

You might get another fix from some of these members that do a lot of tool making, but here's my solution.. first heat the tool end cherry red with a propane torch and let it cool slowly. After that, polish the cutting area with either fine crocus cloth or sandpaper until it is shiny again. Now heat it slowly with the torch until an amber/straw color begins to show on the cleaned part. Then immediately quench the tool in cold water. That proces should first anneal the steel, then harden it to about where you want it. In order to properly temper the tool you should heat the whole thing to about 350 to 400 degrees for an hour or so, and then let it cool slowly. I don't know how you'd accomplish this step with the handle still attached, but you might try heating the tool end (you'll have to guess here) to about the 400 degree temp, and then cover it with vermiculite as an insulator and let the whole thing cool down in there.

I have had some sucess with skipping the last heat treatment on some home made knives, so you might try that, but that will give you a little more brittle edge.

Don't discount Henry Taylor tools because of one bad one....they make some excellent tools..It may be that the person you bought it from screwed up the edge by overheating it while grinding, and didn't know how to bring it back to an acceptable edge.

Al

[Old_Gord]

You are the second person this month that said he had a "bad" #7 gouge from Henry Taylor.
Send the thing back to Henry Taylor they stand behind their products 100% , course if you put an incorrect bevel on it for the wood you were using it on might make a difference but I don't think it will make them refuse to exchange it.
I've owned and have used Henry Taylor full size gouges for many years and never had any with bad steel , but there is always a chance there can be a bad run with any tool manufacturer once in a while.

OG

[oldbearx2]

Ya I had thought about sending it back, but I did buy it used. I tried to sharpen it on our club's Burke sharpener so if anything maybe it was bad when I bought it. maybe I'll try the heat treating thing. I have talked to several other people who use Taylor tools and they say they are good tools. Maybe whoever had before me ruined it. Harold

[Old_Gord]

If you feel up to it I would still send it back even though it was bought second hand.
They have been in business many more years than any of us have been alive their reputation is more inportant to them than where you bought the tool.

OG.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

The handle will come right off ... they are made that way so theycan be easilly replaced after being damaged from repeated mallet blows. Just put the blade in a padded vice and give the hand a couple of taps with a leather mallet or some such and it will slide right off unless somebody had it come off and decided to epoxy it back on.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Ooops posted before I was finished .... Once the handle is off you can finish the heat treatment in the oven. Interesting experiment if you didn't pay too much for the gouge.

[rick-in-seattle]

Old Bear,
If it is your worst tool send it to me; I will make it your best tool.
You pay the shipping.
Rick

[oldbearx2]

Hey Rick that sounds like an offer I can't refuse. I will try to get it out right after the holidays. Harold