Altering the handles on swiss made gouges.

Brandon Yuchasz

Brandon Yuchasz

Well-known member
Maybe I am the only one who has this issue but I thought I would ask the group before I go off and start grinding and cutting on my tools. On the swiss made gouges I use. Mostly the scoop and spoon style the handles eventually bruise my palm. For example yesterday I was hollowing 6 decoys and using the gouges. By the time I got down to the last decoy my palm was really sore. This morning its still a bit sore and I certainly would not want to be pushing on it with more gouges today. I believe its partially the fact that I have "girly computer geek" hands. ( My dads affectionate way of poking fun at me) and partially the octagon style handle that is squared off on these type of tools. Mostly I think its the 10mm small tool I use that causes problems since the handle is smaller. I am considering rounding off the tools handles with the sander to make them more of a half ball on the ends.

Has anyone done this...

My other thought was to build up the size of the handle on the small gouge.
 
first off, do you use a fostner bit to get the majority of the waste out first? that would/does save a lot of time.

Second, I use my foredom and a ball bit (biggest one they have) and it works great. Then, if needed follow up with some chisels. (I guess I love power tools)

As for the actual chisels, I would try it. My personal favorite style though is the flex cut chisels, they have a fat bulb on the end that drops down a bit. google them up, take a look. For MY hands (medical hands, min callous either so you are not alone) these work the best. I don't like the ends on those octagon ones either.
 
Have you tried some nice scented hand soap or lotion?





Sorry, couldn't resist. :)
First I would make sure the gouges are razor sharp. Do they cut you eye when you look at them? This will minimize the pressure needed.

What about some thin leather gloves? I wear some when using a rasp.

How about a some kind of rubber table or chair end cap? This would add cushion and surface area at the same time. You might still have to round the end, but I see no trouble in that. It it a tool to be used.
 
Brandon, get a tennis ball and cut a small slit into the ball and slide the handle inside the ball. should do the trick for you.
 
I don't have any gouges yet but I'm getting some soon. I do use tools for a living and have 3 spud wrenches that cost more than a new flex cut set. That being said, the first thing I do with a new spud is file the end down. 75.00 wrench goes in a vice before it sees my scabbard.

I guess the point I'm getting at is they are your tools, if modifying them makes them more useful then by all means go for it.

Another option would be to build up the end with friction tape to suit.

Good luck.
 
Thanks everyone except Dave!

I considered the gloves before but I hate wearing them when working on anything so I think I will round them off on the sander. If they still hurt Ill carve more until my hands stop being so soft... maybe I will lay off the scented hand lotion as well.
 


Rounding the end will make them more difficult to use a mallet with and possibly more fragile.

are you using a mallet? My go to gouge for spoons is a 30 MM 7 sweep with a 30 0z mallet with the urethane tire on it. I swing it hard and the tool holds up to it.
 
You may not make it to a point with your hands that works. While my hands a rough, I still bruise them when a I use a wrench sometimes. I'll put too much pressure on the wrench and break a small blood vessel in my finger.

I am not really putting a whole lot a pressure on the wrenches. Just a slightly stuck 9/16 bolt. Gloves are the answer for my easily bruised fingers. I think they got damaged once and then are eaiser the next time.
 
Paul,
I had not considered a mallet that is how they are designed after all. I do keep my tools very sharp and am using a pushing motion rocking the gouge back and forth while applying pressure with the palm of my hand. The tenderness is gone today so it does not take long to heal.
 
One more option could be fingerless gloves. I know several connectors as well as farriers that swear by them. Protection for your palms while still allowing for dexterity. You should be able to find some padded fingerless mechanics gloves at Lowes or Home Depot of just cut the fingers out of a pair of leather drovers gloves.
 
My mother did a lot of carving and used the tennis ball trick plus hammer to protect those delicate, tender,soft,dainty,sensitive,delicate hands. Did I say delicate ? ( : 0 )
 
I thought about it and I don't think I really use my palm when using the gouges even the spoon. Have you tried griping it with your hand rather than pushing it with your palm?
 
I will be doing some more hollowing later this week if I get these next birds carved as quickly as I think I will. Ill pay more attention to what it is I am doing but I know its mostly the small gouge that causes the issue but then again I use it 75% of the time. The angle on its spoon is perfect to rock the edge and cut along the bottom of the decoys as I hollow them. I use the large scoop on the edges. For now I don't plan to round them off until I figure out if there is another solution.
 
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