The Hans Karlsson Straight Carving Gouge 90-40 boasts a broad edge and shallow sweep, positioning it as an exceptional finishing gouge designed primarily for 'pushing' rather than mallet work. It shines in the final stages of bowl carving, effectively minimising tool marks and ensuring a smooth finish. While it excels at shaping the side walls of bowls, it may not reach the bottom of deeper designs, making its bent counterpart, the Hans Karlsson Bent Carving Gouge 90-40, an excellent complementary tool.

Crafted with precision and care by the renowned Swedish woodworking tool makers at Hans Karlsson Klensmide AB, this gouge is a testament to their commitment to quality. The tool follows Karlsson's unique reference system to describe the sweep or curvature of the tool's edge. In this instance, '90' represents the curve of a circle defined by its radius in millimetres, and '40' denotes the length of the cutting edge, from one corner to the other.

Product Details:

• Blade Material: High-quality ball bearing steel (SS2258) hardened to 60 - 62 Rockwell
• Bevel: Ground to 25 degrees
• Cutting Edge Length: 40 mm
• Sweep: 90 mm radius curvature (read the HK sweep tables here)
• Total Length: 255 mm (10"), including the handle
• Handle Length: 140 mm (5 1/2")
• Handle Material: Swedish ash or elm, lightly oiled with linseed

About Hans Karlsson Klensmide AB:

Hans Karlsson Klensmide AB, based in Sweden, is globally celebrated for its exceptional hand tools, combining superb design with the finest steel for unparalleled edge retention. Despite a higher upfront cost, the durability and performance of their tools provide excellent value, making them a wise choice even in challenging economic times.

Like us, Hans Karlsson operates as a family-run business, they prioritise quality over quantity, ensuring each tool meets their exacting standards. This commitment has generated immense demand worldwide. The workshop, located in Motala and formerly a butcher's factory, now features forges, a handle-making shop, a fully-equipped machine shop, and a "fitting room" showcasing their 800-tool range.

At Woodsmith, we echo the Karlsson’s belief in tools that deliver exceptional performance and joy over many years. Due to the handmade nature and limited production, Hans Karlsson tools are in high demand, with shipments arriving only every 9-12 months, leading to periods of stock unavailability. To secure one of these coveted tools, we recommend signing up for email alerts on our product pages, ensuring you’re among the first to know when stock is replenished.