Bowl Turning Hooks are the basic tools needed to turn a bowl on a treadle-operated pole lathe. Made by one of the UK's finest bowl turners and blacksmiths, Matt Whittaker.

Comes sharpened and ready to use but would always benefit from a final honing. Each hook comes with a simple leather edge cover made by Woodsmith.

Available Options:

• Tip Up Hook (The Bodger) 
• Tip Down Hook (The Bodger's Mate) 
• Tip Up and Tip Down - Set of Two Hooks – includes both Tip Up and Tip Down
• Fine Detail Hook (Tip Up)
• Nesting Hook (Tip Up)
• End Grain Hook (Plunging)
• End Grain hook (Politician)
• End Grain Hooks - Set of Two (Plunging and Politician)

All options can be purchased with handles or without handles.

Hazel handles are approx. 18" (460mm) long, making the total length of the tool approx. 30" (760mm). The diameter and overall character of hazel handles will vary.

Tip up 

• The Tip Up hook is the bowl turner's most important tool, used for the majority of work. Made from strong 5/8" (17mm) diameter bar EN 47 spring steel.  It is both robust and capable of taking and keeping a great edge. Tip up means that when a right-handed turner is using this tool the cutting edge of the tool is on the left with the curl of the hook facing upwards.
• Left-handed turners would substitute the Tip Down for this tool. Other uses include end grain cups, lidded boxes and plates. 
• Iron length 420mm (16 1/2"), internal bevel.

• This is the companion tool for the Tip Up, used for details around the foot as well as for reducing the core of the bowl. Made from strong 5/8" (17mm) diameter EN 47 spring steel. It is both robust and capable of taking and keeping a great edge. 
• Tip down means that when a right-handed turner is using this tool the cutting edge of the tool is on the left with the curl of the hook facing downwards.
• Left-handed turners would substitute The Tip Up for this tool. 
• Iron length 420mm (16 1/2"), internal bevel.

Fine Detail

• The Fine Detail hook is a tip up hook with a much narrower working tip. This allows the tool to complete finer detail work wither greater accuracy and control, or for cuts within tight turns. Made from strong 5/8" (17mm) diameter EN 47 spring steel. Despite being a finer hook, it is still robust and capable of taking and keeping a great edge.
• Iron length 420mm (16 1/2"), internal bevel.

Nesting (Tip Up)

• Tip Up Nesting Hooks are a specialised tool with a similar working tip to the Fine Detail Hook, but with a long swept curve forged into the shaft. this allows the tool to be used for the turning of nested bowls where straight shafted hooks are unable to reach for internal hollowing. Made from strong 5/8" (17mm) diameter EN 47 spring steel. Despite being a finer hook, it is still robust and capable of taking and keeping a great edge.
• Iron length 420mm (16 1/2"), internal bevel.

• Also known as an "Insider" or "Lightening"  hook.
• The end grain plunging hook is the first of two hooks used when hollowing the inside of end grain turned vessels like cups. This hook has a long flat back which registers on the vessel core and is used to create an initial internal channel which is large enough to fit the second end grain hook, the politician.
• Iron length 490mm (19 1/4"), internal bevel.

• Also known as and "Endgame" or "Finishing" hook.
• The Politician Hook is used in end grain turning to bring the walls of the vessel to final thickness and leave a clean finishing cut on the internal surfaces. In order to use this hook effectively, an internal channel should first be established using a Plunging Hook or standard Tip-Up tool
• Iron length 430mm (17"), internal bevel.

Shipping Notice

Please be aware if you select with handles, we will not be able to ship on a next day delivery service, as these are hand made to order by a member of the Woodsmith team. To keep shipping costs reasonable, we may need to ship irons and handles unfitted, i.e. they will be prepared with holes drilled but you will have to fit the iron to the handle.

About the Maker

Matt Whittaker has been working with wood and steel for over twenty years, specialising in bowl making, blacksmithing, timber frame building, and band saw milling. His journey into the crafts of green wood and forge began with a simple appreciation for the minimal tools needed to create useful, everyday objects.

Matt operates a mobile sawmill at Abundant Earth, where he processes trees into planks and beams for various construction projects, including everything from small sheds to large barns. This work supports his green woodworking, which he has been practicing for twenty-five years, using a traditional foot-powered lathe.

In addition to woodworking, Matt is skilled in blacksmithing. Many of the tools he uses are crafted in his onsite forge, often made from recycled steel and using a hand-cranked, charcoal forge.

Matt is also dedicated to teaching, regularly hosting workshops for both children and adults at Abundant Earth. His classes emphasise practical skills and a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship.