The Gouge Guide

ByIzzy Berger 14 June 201822 March 2023

A gouge is similar to a chisel in the way that it looks as it has a handle and a metal blade, however the blade is rounded which is mainly used for carving.

Uses

The gouge is used for carving, shaping, hollowing out and curved cuts. They often will be used within fine woodworking for both decorative and functional tasks. To read more about using a gouge click here.

Terminology

Out-cannel- Bevel on the outside
In-cannel- Bevel on the inside

Types

There are many different types of gouges but they are all used for a type of carving. The main differences between them is some are out-cannel and some are in-cannel. They are measured by their width too which can range from 1/16” (1.5mm) to 2” (50mm). They each have a sweep number which determines the size of the radii, No1 is almost straight whereas No11 is semi-circular. They can have round, oval or octagonal handles. All these different aspects means that there are hundreds of different gouges. To read more about buying a gouge, click here.

● Blade

● Handle

Relevant Guides

Sharpening a Gouge

Note: This is the sharpening process of an out-cannel gouge. Paul recommends 2 methods to sharpen an out-cannel gouge which can both be done on diamond plates or abrasive paper. You will also need a curved strop, which you can make yourself, to polish at the end of the sharpening process, for this you will…
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Using a Gouge

You can drive the gouge into the wood using a chisel hammer or mallet or use hand and arm pressure only. You can use them to pare cut, depending on the gouge type. The gouge can make shallow or deep cuts depending on the pressure applied, if you are using it to hollow, you would…
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Buying a Gouge

Paul recommends the Ashley Iles No7 37mm straight gouge to use in spoon and bowl carving. He also uses and recommends Pfeil and Hirsch in similar size and sweep, however these brands are not always in stock. We found the Stubai 40mm No7 to be in stock from Tiranti which is just as good as…
Read More

Buying a Gouge

ByIzzy Berger 2 July 201822 March 2023

Paul recommends the Ashley Iles No7 37mm straight gouge to use in spoon and bowl carving. He also uses and recommends Pfeil and Hirsch in similar size and sweep, however these brands are not always in stock. We found the Stubai 40mm No7 to be in stock from Tiranti which is just as good as…

General Guides

The Swing Brace Guide

ByIzzy Berger 1 May 201822 March 2023

A traditional woodworking brace, is used to bore holes from ¼” in diameter and up in increments of 1/16” to 1 ½” which are often too big for a hand drill. They can create cleaner work than power tool versions because they operate by a screw thread and cutting edges instead of power and speed….

General Guides

The Chisel Guide

ByIzzy Berger 15 March 201822 March 2023

Chisels are one of the most commonly used tools in the history of woodworking. They are made up of a steel blade attached either to a wooden or plastic handle. Chisel hammers and wooden mallets are the tools we use to strike the end of the handle to allow you to split, chop and pare…

General Guides

The Card Scraper Guide

ByIzzy Berger 1 May 201814 December 2021

The card scraper is a plate of sheet steel which is sharpened along the full length of the long edges and relies on careful precision throughout the sharpening process. The card scraper performs much the same tasks as the #80 scraper (cabinet scraper) and both blade types are made from plate steel, however their blades…

General Guides

The Woodworker’s Knife Guide

ByIzzy Berger 15 March 201822 March 2023

The woodworker’s knife has a thin steel blade attached to a handle, sometimes the steel blade is retractable or folds. These can also be known as scoring, striking, marking or layout knives. They generally come with plastic, metal or wooden handles. Uses The knife is used to cut through the surface fibres of the wood…

General Guides

The Plough Plane Guide

ByIzzy Berger 1 May 201826 January 2023

The plough (plow USA) plane creates channel grooves by removing material from the middle of a piece of wood, leaving two outside edges. The plane has a guide or fence, which runs along the underside or outer edge of the plane body to keep the groove parallel and the plane fully aligned to the material….

The Gouge Guide