Tool study / 4 min read
Russian Lathe Knife (Skew Tool)
If you are familiar with Russian woodworking videos on YouTube, you have likely seen a particular tool that is hard to find elsewhere in English speaking countries. It looks unusual. It cuts beautifully.
I looked high and low to find this angled skew tool, and I have taken to calling it a Russian lathe knife. It is part skew and part knife.
Why it looks unusual
A standard skew chisel is a flat, rectangular blade ground to an angled edge. In the pictures, this tool has a pointed, angled blade instead, which is why it is easiest to describe as part skew and part knife. That is the difference you notice first in the videos, and the reason it is hard to explain to someone who has not seen one.
What to watch for
Watch where the bevel sits against the wood, and watch the shaving. A tool that is cutting cleanly throws a long, even ribbon, and the surface left behind looks finished rather than torn. The two close views of the knife on a vase and a bowl rim in the gallery show it at work.
These are general workshop observations, not a substitute for safe lathe practice. Use appropriate guards and follow your equipment guidance.
Watch the tool in action.
Take a look at the knife at work in this video.
Video
Watch the tool in action.
A video by Techupdate on YouTube. It opens in place when you press play.
Questions about the lathe knife.
What is a Russian lathe knife?
It is a woodturning tool that is part skew chisel and part knife. Its angled blade turns up in Russian woodworking videos and is hard to find in English speaking countries.
Is a Russian lathe knife the same as a skew chisel?
They are related. Like a skew, the cutting edge is angled across the blade, but the blade is shaped more like a knife, which is why it is easiest to describe as part skew and part knife.
Where can I see one being used?
Press play on the video on this page, and see the close views of the knife on a bowl and a vase in the gallery on the home page.
Can I buy a Russian lathe knife from Memorial Woodworking?
This site does not sell them. If you are interested in one, send a note through the contact page and we will tell you where things stand.