3/8" Robert Sorby #834H Bedan

I do a lot of wood working with my lathe and this bedan, is a beast. Very sharp, holds its shape, and allows me to removes a lot of wood quickly. I LOVE IT.

relatively inexpensive Bedan tool. perfect for making tenons. Arrived sharp and cuts clean and deep.

works very good

I may not be Jean-François Escoulen, the famous French production turner: This is his go to instrument. I purchased this for two reasons: 1. To learn to use this as a supplement to my skew work, and 2. To use with the Sorby sizing jig. First, I sharpened this on a 180 grit CBN wheel the honed the bevel and the back. The back had a slight hollow, similar to higher end chisels, which relieved me.The tool is famous for catches, but I was lucky enough not to get any yet. In three days I’ve put it though its paces. I’ve cut pommels left and right, rolled beads, cut beautiful tendons for canes, and tuned an egg. All of these cuts were similar to using a skew. All of my rolled cuts were made with support of the tool corner, which is 90% of my skew technique, anyway. The end grain facing cut is not as deep as the Frenchman’s, but is quite clean. Overall, it’s nice to have, and I’ll keep working with it and hope to expand my turnings. The egg above is unsanded, other than a small tool mark, came out to about 180 grit. Not my best, and not bad for my first late at night😀

I upcycle a lot of my tools from old files or shop treated tool steel, i have also bought many woodturning tools over the years. This tool performs excellent, is sturdy and the steel holds up the edge decently. Since the geometry is quite flat and square, the best way to sharpen it is with a diamond stone.

Beyond pleased with this tool. I bought this to end grain hollow white oak and I cannot rave enough about this tool. Out of the box it was extremely sharp. After each cup, I do about 5 swipes on a diamond plate and it’s ready to go again.

I use the bedan frequently to complete the dovetail when cutting a recess on a bowl blank. This Sorby tool is high quality HSS. What's not to like? ;-)

Love the quality of this tool as well as the price.

A great product at a highly competitive price. Thoroughly recommended.