mac davis wrote:
...
Related question: How much better would/wood my bowls be if I used a $150 bowl
gouge?

As with any woodworking tool, better tools are easier to work with and will
allow you to do better work. You will be 'fighting' with a poor tool to get
'so-so' work.

A good named brand $70-$100 bowl gouge made of HSS will have a good profile,
be easy to sharpen, and hold the edge lots longer than a cheep tool-steel one.
Keeping a sharp edge will allow you to work longer and make lots better cuts
than a dull tool. And will last longer since you won't be grinding it away as
often. Better cuts mean smoother finishes.

Going to the extreme $150 gouge is way overkill for a beginner. But it may
keep it's sharp edge way longer.

In short, don't go Cheep or it will actually cost more in the long run.



--
Mike Vore
http://www.OhMyWoodness.com
http://www.OhMyWoodness.com/blog (new - update your Bookmarks)