by Fred Holder

Some time back, Paul Bennett of Woodworkers Network contacted me about advertising rates. Then later, he asked if I would consider evaluating his tool handle that he normally sells on Ebay. He says that if you search "Turners tool handle" his site will come up. He is currently working on a web site, but at the last communication, it was not yet operational. I agreed to give his tool handle a try, but didn't expect it to come in with one of Doug Thompson's detail gouges for use with the handle.

So, I guess this has to be a joint review of the tool handle and the detail gouge. The tool handle is 16" in length and is made from one inch solid aluminum core which is available bored for 3/8", 1/2", or 5/8" tool shafts. It is bored in only one end.

The other end is nicely rounded over and the handle is covered with a chusioned grip which covers 14-1/2 inch of the length and provides a grip of 1-7/16 inch in diameter. I found this handle to be very comfortable in my hand. If you have a smaller hand it might seem overly large and vice versa a much larger hand might find it a bit small. I however found it very comfortable. It is easy to grip, doesn't slip in the hand as highly polished handles may do and it the right length to give good tool control.

That is about all that I can actually say about the handle other than it does seem to be well balanced at least with this 3/8" tool mounted in the handle.

"This new tool with its new handle has taken a preferred space in my tool storage."

This was the first time, I've used one of Doug Thompson's tools. I have heard many good things about them on the Wood Central Message Board, but I have so many good tools that I've simply not made an effort to acquire one of the Thompson tools. I haven't used this tool extensively enough to find out how well the edge will stand up against other similar gouges; however, I was pleased with how well it cut in my tests of it on a spindle.

If you haven't heard of the Thompson tools, I suggest that you take a look at his web site: www.thompsonlathetools.com From start to finish each tool is handcrafted by Doug Thompson. "He says, the first thing you will notice there is more steel under the flute than other tools, this creates a stronger tool that's easy to control especially when it needs to be extended far over the rest for those hard to reach details. Bowl gouges are a balance between flute shape and depth to prevent clogging. The shank will fit any aftermarket handle and are polished so they slide easily on the rest. A gunmetal finish, which is actually from the heat treatment, gives each tool a unique character al lit's own.

All tools are 10 inches long with a 6 inch flute except the 5/8 - 3/4 inch bowl gouges that are 12 inches long with a 7 inch flute." Doug further says, "The tools are made from the best steel on the market, CPM 10V® (A-11) a powder metal manufactured by Crucible Materials Corporation with a 9.75% vanadium content to hold an edge longer and has a proven history in woodturning. The steel is hardened to 60-62 Rockwell, triple tempered with a cryogenic treatment between the first and second temper.

The cryogenic treatment at this stage transforms the bulk of the retained austinite to martensite and form very fine "eta" carbides much finer than tempering alone, this increases the durability and toughness of the steel. Nothing else can be done to this steel!"

At Doug's web site he lists some of the tools that he supplies as follows:

• V-SHAPE BOWL GOUGES
• U-SHAPE BOWL GOUGES
• SPINDLE GOUGES
• DETAIL GOUGES
• SHALLOW DETAIL GOUGES
• SKEWS
• SCRAPERS

I always hate to make any claims for a particular tool manu facturer on a single tool. But I believe that the combination of the Paul Bennet handle and the Thompson detail gouge is worth recommending highly. I suspect from trying this one tool combination that one will find the Paul Bennet handle fitted with a Thompson gouge or other turning tool will give you good performance. This is also what I've heard from other users. From the photo on the left, the gouges look to be very well made and perhaps fully sharpened with a good grind.