Reply by richgreer

First – Mike is right about taking some classes.

Second – You already have the primary tool for taking the wood out of a bowl, a bowl gouge. Some people like to use a bowl scraper to put the finishing touches on a bowl (before sanding).

As an FYI – One well known professional turner and instructor, Lyle Jamieson, uses nothing but a 1/2” bowl gouge when turning bowls.

There is a knack to it and that is where the classes come in.

It is also very important that you have a good way to sharpen your tools and that you learn the right way to sharpen a bowl gouge. If you don’t have a good sharpening system, I would advise you to get that before you think about other cutting tools.

-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.