hand gouge for spoons

[forginhill]

The day job has owned me, but I finally found some time to forge a gouge I've been wanting. I had made a narrower one and used it extensively for spoon making, but I knew I needed a wider one. I started with a section of high carbon bed frame steel and followed the directions of my idol Alexander Weygers. For the handle I used a small section of recycled chair. I tested the gouge on some seasoned local oak that is discouragingly hard to work. The gouge performed exactly as I hoped.

 

[Madriverrob]

Superb , just what I need for my own attempts


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[Eragon21]

Excellent stuff - will have a go at something like this myself when my mancave is finished and I can get of with all the "must do", "need to do" and "like to do" projects

 

[VaughnT]

Well, that's about as handy an idea as I've ever seen. I especially like how you tapered the tang.

What type of heat-treat did you do for the bed frame metal? I've heard the stuff is pretty tough, but I've never had the chance to work with any. Now I've got to find a bed frame and make some gouges....

 

[Chris the Fish]

Excellent, great project


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[Herbalist1]

Very nice Forginhill - wish I had the skills to do that - great to be able to turn what most people would see as 'junk' into a useful item like that and making it yourself you get a bespoke item that is perfectly suited to your needs.

 

[Monikieman]

Excellent looking gouge. Very nice indeed.

 

[forginhill]

Thanks for the feedback. Very easy project for the backyard smith.

What type of heat-treat did you do for the bed frame metal? I've heard the stuff is pretty tough, but I've never had the chance to work with any. Now I've got to find a bed frame and make some gouges....

I've tried quenching bed frame steel in water and it cracks every time. I quench it in warm canola oil. This one I tempered for an hour at just over 400 degrees. If I had time and was patient, ideally I'd give it at least one more tempering cycle. I feel the one hour leaves it a little more brittle than is optimal.