[Woodcarver] RE: tools

[Ramsey]

Hi Loren,

Swill? Is that a comment or a typo?  I have both Stubai and Phiel 
tools and they both have their pros and cons

Stubai: Harder steel, Holds an edge longer, Takes much more time to 
re-grind and hone.  Heat tempered on the tip only.  Expensive.  If 
you are the type that treats your tools like they are religious icons 
these tools are great.  Some of the best made.

Phiel: Well balanced.  Feel great in your hand. Electronically 
tempered so that the full length of the tool can be reground all the 
way to the handle.  I know this doesn't seem important but I have 
broken tools and the ability to re-grind them even if there is only 
3" left can be nice.  I love the way they feel. Very natural 
extension of my hand.  I am the type of carver that has a whole group 
of tools on my bench at one time and I like to work fast. 
Occasionally one falls off and chips the edge.  Because of the softer 
steel, it's much quicker to re-grind and hone the tool than with the 
Stubai.  They have to be re-stropped more often than the Stubais but 
I have a power stropping wheel next to my bench and that is not a 
problem for me.

For my style of carving, Phiel are my "go to" tools of choice.

Ron Ramsey
http://www.carvedbyramsey.com



>Phiel and Swill are the same thing.  I love Stubai tools.  They are

>excellent tools and hold a very good edge.  Probably 65% of my tools are

>Stubai.


  >Loren Woodard
--