The Gouge Guide

A gouge is similar to a chisel in the way that it looks, as it has a handle and a metal blade. However, the gouge has a rounded blade which is mainly used for carving.

Uses

The gouge is used for carving, shaping, hollowing out and curved cuts. They often will be used within fine woodworking for both decorative and functional tasks. To read more about using a gouge click here.

Terminology

Types

There are many different types of gouges, but they are all used for a type of carving. The main differences between them is some are out-cannel and some are in-cannel. They are measured by their width, too, which can range from 1/16” (1.5mm) to 2” (50mm). Each gouge has a sweep number which determines the size of the radii. No1 is almost straight whereas No11 is semi-circular. They can have round, oval or octagonal handles. All these different aspects mean that there are hundreds of different gouges. To read more about buying a gouge, click here.

Parts of a Gouge

● Blade

● Handle

Uses

Terminology

Types

Parts of a Gouge

Relevant Guides

Further Reading