Creative Woodturning
 Woodturning UK, David Ellsworth Signature Gouge from Crown Tools - March 2004
CELTIC OR ELLSWORTH GRIND.
 Have you ever thought you had something then realised you never had it at all?  Over recent years I thought I was using a Celtic or Ellsworth grind on my bowl gouges, that was until I was sent the David Ellsworth Signature Gouge from Crown Tools in nearby Sheffield. 
The swept back edges were much longer than I was using and the cutting angle slightly different.  The differences may have only been slight but the effect when in use was a World away.
This gouge cut like no other I had used before or since for that matter.
While the gouge was new and sharp I set up my Tormek wet grinder to make sure I would be able to replicate the grind and save the settings on the Tormek jig for future sharpening.
This was one setting I had no intention of losing.
THE MASTER WOODTURNER.
There is little point in talking about turner David Ellsworth, it only needs to be said that he is regarded as 'the master' and his reputation has spread the World over so anything to come from his workshop should be good.  The signature gouge from Crown Tools is better than that, it has been David's tool of choice since 1982 and some years later in 1997 David spent time working with the development team at Crown Tools in Sheffield to produce the first Ellsworth Signature Bowl Gouge.  This deep fluted bowl gouge is made to David's specifications and comes ready sharpened with the specialised side grind that offers exceptional versatility in bowl turning.  Working with the gouge allows you make roughing cuts as big as 3/4" in one pass, inside and outside, it can be used for shear cutting or it can be used to make the finest of finishing cuts.
Since I started using the signature gouge I have used it from start to finish on many projects, it is so well balanced to work with it feels comfortable to hold and this leads to added confidence when working with it.

HIGH PERFORMANCE.
Designed from tip to handle by David, the 5/8" gouge measures 27" overall and the Ellsworth influence can be found in the cross section of the M2 high speed steel 8" flute. The gouge comes complete with pages of hints and tips from David Ellsworth.
There is a dedicated sharpening jig available for this gouge (see photograph), this also comes from the workshop of David Ellsworth.  It is very simple to set up and as with most jigs is capable of repeating the same grind time after time.
Also available to go with the gouge is a video with the title 'The Ellsworth Signature Gouge'. This takes the viewer step by step through the stages of using this highly versatile tool.  Filmed in his own studio, David illustrates through the video the basics of the gouge design, gives important guidelines on body and hand position, there is also many useful tips of how to sharpen the gouge, using the dedicated jig and by hand.

Many thanks go to Crown Tools for the supply of the gouge and Poolewood for the supply of the video         Review - Mike Swain
Copyright © 2002/2003 Creative Woodturning. All rights reserved.