Oval Skew or Traditional Skew?

[JerHall]

I have both. The rectangular has important advantages:
1. More mass
2. Easier to sharpen
3. When the edges are eased as Lacer shows it rolls more consistently in what is already a complex move.
4. Much more stable especially in a "V" and guillotine cut

The oval is excellent for dandelions, and digs into the earth very nicely.

[Brodie Brickey]

It depends...what I'm turning. There are times when I'm doing a long peel and trying not to be too aggressive with the cut, I reach for the oval. The oval I have isn't as thick and the angle is less extreme that my traditional.

I do like the traditional for its solid feel on the tool rest, the oval moves more. The sharper angle of the traditional allows me to get into some spots that I can't reach as easily with an oval skew.

I will say, getting a consistent grind on the oval is more difficult due to its preference to 'roll' when sharpening. I could probably make a fancy jig or buy one, but I've been 'free handing with support' on skews and scrapers for a long time.

[Dwight VanSickle]

I have two traditional skews and use them both, I have had 1on1 instruction on how to use the skew. I have been using them at every chance I can.

[keith zimmerman]

traditional