Carter and Son Tools: REVIEW by Sam Angelo 

Sam Carter is made from a harder steel. Is there any turning where a less hard steel is better? Perhaps on different hardness of woods? Or other situations? So far I am a beginner and I have only bought Carter tools! Kidak

I love my carter son tools. No complaints on any of them.

Thank you Sam for the review. I'm new to woodturning and can't decide what tools to purchase beyond the basic set of 5 tools I bought when I first purchased my lathe, so I've decided to buy a bunch of different Carter & Son woodturning tools. LOL. We only live once and I can't take my money with me to the grave, so better to buy one of each of them with a variety of handle lengths - 10", 12", 16", & 20" lengths - The price was quite hefty, but it'll only hurt once, right? The cost was $3,309. I recently retired so I'll probably find myself woodturning for 3-5 hours a day initially and see where I go from there. This video was the final straw that convinced me that a complete set of Carter & Son Tools Woodturning tools is for me. No other videos had much to say that was negative about these tools, and like I said, your review was the icing to the cake that made me decide to take the plunge. Thank you very much. I look forward to your other evaluations of this tool maker and your projects.

Good video I got my Carter and sons spindle goudge about a year ago and it is the best tool I own. I got a harbor freight lathe and there cheap turning set and my Carter and sons is the most expensive thing in the shop I wish I could get more turning tools.

I just ordered a set.I’m looking forward to using them. Great video Sam!👍🏻

Um using bowl gouge to coves? I guess flutes don't matter

I visited with the Carters at SWAT last week end. Great people and the tools are super.

I have the 7/8" spindle roughing gouge and love it. It's great for shaping. Thanks!

Thank you Mr. Angel for sharing your experiance and knowledge with us. I came across your videos a few days ago and I'm still trying to watch them all, so much to learn and try. I have a small scrollsaw hobby shop and bought a mini lathe little over a year ago to make small pieces for some of my scrollsaw projects. I did not use the lathe much in the year+ since I bought it but since I found the videos on turning that has changed, I've completed several small projects with enough inspiration to keep on learning. I have a long way to go but time is on my side. I've spent the last 2-1/2 years battling and winning the fight against lung cancer, I WON! I'm still "recovering" from the chemo and radiation, it beat me up pertty bad. I'm not able to return to work just yet so I do what I can in my little woodshop, it keeps me sane! Just wanted to tell you "Thank You", I now have another way to challenge my imagination. Found out I love turning. No where to go but up. Thank You again for taking the time to create the videos and sharing with the rest of us. I especially liked the video you did on finishing the hollow forms. The stains and the "reactive metal" paint is simply amazing!!!

Sam, what are your real thoughts of the metal handles vibrating, in turn causing nerve problems in your hands. There seems to be a reason most handles are wood or foam raped.

I've only been turning a year and started with carbide and pen making. I knew I needed some conventual tools so I researched and ended up buying carter & sons. I've been very happy with the company's customer service and the tools. I wouldn't hesitate to buy their tools for all my needs. Thanks for your video and opinions as a long time turner.

A good overview of the tool. Like!

Sam, it is clear to me that with you; Honesty is not a cliche. Thank you for simply being yourself!

These tools look to be very well engineered. As wrercks2007 commented, I'm wonder about the aluminum handles in the winter months becoming uncomfortable to hold. Maybe you could do a follow-up around Christmas time to address our concerns. And what do you think of my suggestion of coating the handles with a plastic dip?

I have 3 Carter tools and plan on getting more. They are great. The one negative I have found with them is that in the winter the metal handles are uncomfortably cold to hold. They can be wrapped with tape but that always looks bad after a short time. This winter I will probably just bring them into the house at night or leave them by a light bulb in the shop. Do you have any thoughts or ideas on a solution?. Enjoy your videos. Thanks.

Hi Sam. A follow up with sharpening will be appreciated. I have a question for you: do you remove the bur after sharpening (spindle gouge, bowl gouge?) Richard Raffan does that with sandpaper and André Martel does it with cotton wheel... What is your opinion on that topic? Marc

Thank you Sam, I bought the Carter and Son 5/8” bowl gouge and I am excited for it to arrive here in Ontario Canada Friday! Thank you again!

Hey Sam, Are you able to Achieve a swept back grind with the 1/2 bowl gouge? I just received my first gouge from them and noticed the flute is in a v shape. I’ve been sharpening for years now and have never had a problem getting the sweep with my grinding jigs on my other gouges. Any tips? Or do I need to keep the traditional grind on it?

Very useful review ... unbiased and informative. Thanks!

I'm a bit new to all this...2 yrs into turning, but I've found D-Way very convenient to use which brings up a question on these. I have found that I like taking the tool steel out of the handle for sharpening. It is very quick to do this on a D Way tool. These tools not as convenient from watching you install the tool into the handle. However, this is not a showstopper for me. By reputation they appear to have excellent steel. A lifetime investment as long as the company stays in business and you can replace the tool steel when needed.

Thanks Sam. very useful video. I don't have a lathe yet but I think when I do these maybe on my to start list as I would rather buy only quality tools once as in the long term saves me lots of money.

C&S do not provide Tormek sharpening instructions for their products. It would take a day for them to develop these instructions. At the prices they charge, perhaps someone over there could get off the chair and get this project done.

Do you like these Carter tools or Thompson tools better? If you were spending your money on them and they were the only tools you could have.... which would you buy?

A fair true Sam. How do you think the handles will feel in the depth of winter? It worries me that they would be too cold to hold! I have been tempted to buy a few unhandled for a while now. Cheers Tom

Thanks for the review Sam. Which length handle did you find most useful?

Thanks for that review It was really helpful

A great review Sam. I have a few of their tools, and have to agree they are superb, in build quality, edge retention, and balance when in use...and also are great to just look at....lol. Take care Mike

Great review Sam Carter and Son Tools are impressive Thanks for sharing

Why do you have the bottom edge of the english bedan chamfered?

I see this video is from a year ago. Has your opinion changed since then? Thank you, John

If you have extras I will definitely take them!

Thanks Sam! I'm a big fan of yours and have found you to be if not the best, one of the very best teachers and answer many questions I have in your videos. As for the Carter tools, do you find it necessary/preferred to hone your tools between sharpening and if so, what grit of diamond hone do you recommend? Thanks and Merry Christmas! KP

That was a really good review Sam. Most detailed I have seen for a turning tool. For a tool that cost a little more we want all the info we can get. I'm needing a good bowl gouge. I'm going to save a bit longer and get one of these rather than a Sorby or Henry Taylor. Times are tight but it will happen someday. I don't understand the weak tang on all the roughing gouges. I wonder how many people especially inexperienced turners have got hurt from that. Looks like a great tool. Hope to get my hands on one soon.

A good review Sam, they look like really good tools, Take care, Harry

You did a great job with your review! They are well made!!!

just decided I need a new skew chisel, 1 inch Carter and Son on order.

My video started at the 7 minute mark. I am not sure if this is happening to anyone. Maybe just my computer. If this happens to you let me know. And just go back to the start if it does. Sam

I disagree with you Sam on the handle weight. To me the handle is too heavy. It would be nice to be able to add or subtract weight from the handle. They are definitely high quality

nice review I used one when over at one of my friends it was a pleasure to use I have been using some other tool that I got from family members and they are of good name and steel but if I need one I will surely get one haven't heard of any complains form club members

I don't think they sent you the tools out of the goodness of their hearts. The cost for them is nothing compared to the money they will make with your positive review. Having about 28000 subscribers for Carters to reach through your RU-vid channel, they should do a lot better then 4 tools.

well good for you getting free tools wish i could aford them

Hey Sam My name is Bill Ellen I met you at the Utah symposium last year. In fact I sat with you during the banquet. I just finished watching your tool review of Carter and sons tools. One question is the steel too hard too sharpen with a regular grinding wheel? I really enjoy watching your videos and learn a lot from you. Thanks for doing them. I hope to see you in Utah again or maybe sooner in Oregon.

On one of your other videos, I said that i was going to buy a carter and son tool every payday. And after using the first one( 3/4” wood beater) I’ve bought a few tools from one paycheck. And now I have my eye on the thread chaser. I started out with a hss tool set bought off of Amazon. And thought sharpening was needed often. But with Carter and Son, i can turn all day and then some. You’re going to pay a little more for quality. But in the long run, it’s worth it.

Great review Sam as always! In my opinion these are overpriced tools for the kind of steel.

Sam, you're giving Carter and Sons to much credit, I've heard that they stole most of the metallurgy info they needed to make tools from Dave over at D-Way tools. That being the case, I'll buy D-Way tools instead of these ones.