CERAMIC TIPS IN WOODTURNING?

 The term "ceramic cutting tool" seems like an oxymoron, as most people equate ceramic with fragile china.  My college buddy, who owns many patents on this subject, introduced me to modern tough ceramic cutting tools.  I had him make me a few ceramic tips to fit the handle I used to hold similar carbide tips.  It was surprising to see how well they cut exotic woods and the smooth finish they left.  Now I use them exclusively for making bowls.  They do not grab wood like the gouges sometimes do.  The tips look like plastic but cut wood like butter.  The moral of the story is the appearance can be deceiving.

WESTERNS VS. JAPANESE SAWS

1. Which are better, the pull saws (Japanese) or push saws (Western)?  It seems like a moot subject as handsaws have almost disappeared from today’s wood shops.  Yet, there are many who wish to get away from the noisy machines and all that sawdust, and a handsaw can replace a router in joinery work.  Although many excellent Western “dovetail saws” are available today, they seem kind of pricey.  The Japanese dozuki saws do the same at a much lower price and do a great job once you get used to the pull stroke.  Replaceable blades are readily available for these unlike the Western saws.  Who knows, you may like the dozuki so much that you may not go back to your router!