This 3/8" Bottom Feeder does a great job on difficult wood.
All 3/8" Bowl Gouge - Bottom Feeder flutes are individually inspected and hand polished to remove all machine marks. This extra step assures the sharpest cutting edge possible. They are shipped sharp.
-- Recommend either the 8" or 12" handle. You now have a choice of handle receiver sizes: 1/2" receiver with a 1/2" to 3/8" reducer bushing for handle versatility OR 3/8" receiver for dedicated use with 3/8"/.390 sized tools.
The Bottom Feeder grind is used on the inside of bowls especially for finish cuts. It is also great on the outside of bowls from the foot to the top for finishing cuts. If you learn to use this grind for finish cuts your sanding will be greatly reduced. You can always sand a piece into submission, but it is not much fun. ~ JIMMIE
Related Videos Below
Posted by Mike Porter on Mar 23rd 2023
When I ordered the 3/8 swept back grind gouge, I almost didn't order this. Then I thought I use my larger bottom feeder regularly so why not. Glad I did. This traditional grind allows me make a controlled cut across the bottom of a small bowl. I make a lot of these now as they are good sellers and quick to make. The grind is easy to freehand sharpen. Oh, and I recommend the 12" handle as I can hold this smaller gouge in the same manner as the larger 1/2" gouge I have.
Posted by Paul on Dec 7th 2022
D-Way tools are the best made!!
Posted by Barry Barkley on Aug 20th 2021
I love this gouge! Great grind, great material, stays sharp a long time. Will be buying more tools from Dway in the future.
Posted by Olof on May 20th 2021
The steel is great, easy to sharpen. I use a 350 CBN wheel.
I can usually finish the bottom of my small bowls and go to 240 sandpaper even in punky spalted wood, just go slow and take a light cut.
The steel stays sharp for a long time.
I highly recommend these bottom feeders
Posted by Michael Ogden on May 15th 2018
this was the first "bottom feeder" bowl gouge I ordered from Dave. Fan-freaking-tastic! I just don't know how you can go wrong with D-Way tools. Yes, I am a fan, but I don't know Dave personally and he is not paying me (I'm paying him!).
Posted by Zach LaPerriere on Sep 12th 2017
A tool is only as sharp as the intersection of two planes, so the smooth flute is a real asset over some of the fancier high buck steels with course flutes that honestly don't hold an edge any better than Dave's M42 gouges.
I keep one 3/8" gouge for a bottom feeder and another for a 45 degree finger nail grind.
An excellent gouge.
Posted by Bart on Feb 20th 2017
I had the 1/2" bottom feeder which I love and I needed the 3/8" for finer work. I think I own all of Dave's tools except the hollowing and beadings tools. I will get those down the road.
Posted by steven hansen on Sep 16th 2016
I like this bottom feeder bowl gouge. Excellent quality and shape. I also have purchased many other items from dway. Very pleased
Posted by Jim Chrisawn on Jan 14th 2016
Dave calls this a bottom feeder and that it is! However it is far more than that. It is a top quality cutting tool with excellent balance and super machining. There's nothing like approaching an expensive one of a kind piece of wood to create a one of a kind expression of art and know you are doing so with a quality tool in hand, a tool you can depend on to cut as it should and do so time after time. This is one of those tools we call our "go to" tools. I highly recommend this superb tool for your use.