Making Russian dolls

[Timberwolf]

Notice the lathe chisels........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtFC4_UaPzI

[imapseudonym]

Interesting sort-of-skews. Be fun to try one and compare it with a skew that requires skewing the handle more to get the right blade angle.

[MichaelMouse]

Interesting sort-of-skews. Be fun to try one and compare it with a skew that requires skewing the handle more to get the right blade angle.

The "right" blade angle is the one that does the work required.  Tools evolve to fit the task, especially when it is repetitious.  My normal response to people and their "how should I grind this" is to tell them the right answer is the one that does the work for them, not "expert" X or Y.  Skews, for instance, used to come in right and left handed versions even as late as the 60's, when I started turning.  Single-bevel, they worked better than the current double type. 

What I find interesting is something I mention often in the "seal the endgrain" threads.  Starch, be it corn or, in this case, potato derived, pulls and binds moisture.  First saw it mentioned in an old FWW article about a Swedish spoon carver.  He rubbed the wood with a potato to  keep checks from starting, almost like wax emulsion (Anchorseal) types.  

For those who may not know, "lime" is basswood.

[Arlin Eastman]

The skews they used looked like whale harpoons and a 1" hook tool.  I like the long skew area of the tool and it would be hard to get a catch with it.