Faithfull gouges

ByPaul Sellers

For more information on the gouge, see our beginner site Common Woodworking.

I’ve commented on inexpensive tools available to woodworkers because sometimes it is false economy to buy something that seems cheap because it seems inevitable that the tool or equipment will fail by breaking, or have some built-in faults from low quality standards in manufacture or materials used. Aldi chisels for example are extremely cheap in price, but the chisels tick almost every box for me. I did the same with a range produced by Faithful blue chisels a few years ago and stil use the set I tested and they are still available. They again proved of equal worth to say those produced in China under the Irwin brand, but selling for about or less than half the price. So there you have two types to pick from.

I recently tried a gouge made by Faithful and ordered several. They are consistent in quality and have shaped walnut handles, bolstered tangs and the steel used has good edge-retention qualities. They are lovely to use and are ideal spoon-making gouges. I paid less than £4 per gouge. The gouge slips in and out of the hand easily and the waisted handle affords good grip for hand pressure.

I’ve made hundreds of wooden spoons like the ones shown here. They take me about 45 minutes to complete and I sell them for about £20made from oak, walnut, cherry or mesquite. I shape them with oval handles for a secure fit and grip and size them to purpose and the hand that will use them.

5 Comments

    1. Thanks for the review. I found some on ebay for Americans. At less than 10 dollars they are far cheaper most alternatives.

  2. I watched your chisel sharping video the other day I tried to get the name of the chisels you sharpened could not get it Saphir something could you let me know please. George Hibbs.

  3. I am not sure which video you saw so I am assuming I was showing how to sharpen Aldi chisels.

  4. Hi Mr sellers!
    I got one of this gauge. My 1st ever.
    Followed Joseph’s video tips, and by the 2nd time I sharped I was able to carve a spoon a a few letters with the help of a rubber head hammer.
    But when i watched your scoop video i realized that’s something wrong with my gauge sharpness because i can’t slice wood as easy as you do it only by hand pressure and not as precise.
    I’m not talking just about my lack of practice around a gauge. Because I had the same level with a chisel and with your sharpening method i can slice/shape wood just with my fingertips (I only go to 600 sand paper grit).
    So, the gauge the inside is polish (not mirror levels but very smooth), I hone until i feel a continuous small bur along the all edge and take it off like Joseph told.

    Could it be because of the thickness of the Faithfull gauge (when compared to Pfeil n# 7 i saw in a store the other day)?

    I know it’s a long shot asking this without being at your side in order you cant watch what I’m doing wrong, but if you can give some hints (even if the hit is get a better gauge -lol) that will help.

    Thank You in advance for your time.

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