Gouges, like chisels, are made “firmer and paring,” the distinction being precisely the same as in the case of chisels.
When the bevel is on the outside or convex side of the gouge it is termed an outside, while when the bevel is on the inside or concave side it is termed an inside gouge.
Fig. 2748.
[Fig. 2748] represents an outside firmer gouge. The inside gouge may be ground a little keener than the chisel, and requires great care in grinding, because it must be held on the corner of the grindstone, which is rarely of the desired curve. In oilstoning the concave side of a gouge an oilstone slip is employed, the gouge being held in the left hand and the slip in the right, the latter being supplied with clean oil.
The convex side of an outside gouge should be made level on the face of the oilstone, and while the gouge is moved to and fro its handle must be revolved so as to bring all parts of the curve in contact with the oilstone. The small amount of surface on the gouge in contact with the grindstone makes it very liable to have a long feather edge, hence it must be very lightly pressed to the stone, and the same remark applies to the oilstoning in order to reduce the wire edge.
Fig. 2749.