There are many different makes of turning tool on the market. How can I be sure I am buying a genuine Robert Sorby tool?	It is true that there are other brands which are made to look like Robert Sorby products in order to confuse the turner. One even goes so far as to package products in a similar manner. However, you can readily identify Robert Sorby products by the fact that both the blade and handle will carry our name. We do not hide behind "badge manufacturing". With many brands you can never tell who the manufacturer is or where they have been made.
Where can I find my nearest dealer of Robert Sorby products?	The Robert Sorby web site gives details of primary dealers, but is not exhaustive.
How can I tell the size of a Robert Sorby tool?	All Robert Sorby tools are marked with the size as well as our name and location. There is no doubt that you are buying a genuine Robert Sorby tool made in Sheffield.
Why have Robert Sorby made specific "Shear Scrapers" when by angling the blade of a conventional scraper you can get the same result?	Robert Sorby make a few variations of shear scrapers. These have been designed to overcome the problems associated with "angling the blade of convention scrapers". This method does give a reasonable result, but because the blade when angled is resting on a sharp edge there is a possibility that the edge could catch. If this happens the blade will snap down onto the tool rest and trap fingers or break a blade.
What steps do you undertake to ensure the consistent quality of Robert Sorby products?	All Robert Sorby tools are hardness tested. That way we ensure that no soft or brittle tools leave the factory. Of course the hardness differs at various points along the tool. For example, it would be wrong to have the area around the tang at the same hardness as the tip. Its role is completely different. If it were too brittle it would snap under pressure.
Robert Sorby keep coming out with new tools. Surely some are just gimmicks?	Robert Sorby strive to push the boundaries of woodworking further by supplying quality tools of specific designs. These designs come about because there is a problem with the current designs or there are no tools on the market at the present time to cater for the demand. We see our role as a provider of innovative, quality tools that enable the woodworker to undertake projects that were previously closed to them. If we sold gimmicks people would feel cheated when the tool did not perform as they expected and would not come back and buy our tools again. Fortunately we have an excellent relationship with our customers which has spanned generations. This is a relationship on which we will continue to build.
I shall be in the Sheffield area shortly. Can I visit your factory?	We are located not very far from the M1, the main motorway which runs from London northwards and we do welcome visitors. Unlike some others, we do actually manufacture our own products at our factory and we are pleased to show visitors the care and attention which goes into making a Robert Sorby tool. We would simply ask that you give us a little notice of your intention to visit. If other brands are reluctant to let you see their factory you should ask yourself what they have to hide.
I inherited a set of tools from my father. Amongst them are some Sorby tools. Can you give me any history of them ?	In About Robert Sorby there is a history of the company. However, you should be aware that there are products with the Sorby name which were not made by ourselves.
I am new to wood turning. What tools do you recommend I start off with?	Assuming that you are wanting to tackle spindle and bowl work we suggest purchasing the following: ¾" roughing gouge, 3/8" spindle gouge, 1/8" parting tool, 1" oval skew chisel, ¾" curved scraper and a 3/8" bowl gouge. These are the basic tools of the trade and will enable most projects to be undertaken.
I have noticed that Robert Sorby tools are a little more expensive than some other brands What do I get for the extra money?	First of all you have the confidence to know that if the tool is marked Robert Sorby is a genuine product made in the Robert Sorby factory in Sheffield - not a badged product which may come from any one of a variety of sources. Because it has our name on it we will stand by that product. You also have a product with a long history which has contributed to ensuring that you get a tool of consistent quality. Such things do not happen by chance. You also receive full product back up. That may include instruction leaflets or manuals, free advice at the end of a phone or email. Robert Sorby personnel also attend a variety of shows and club evenings around the world where they can introduce and explain their tools some of which benefit from explanation and demonstration. - With Robert Sorby gouges all flutes are highly polished. This not only makes the tool look good, but has the more important purpose of creating a far superior cutting. An edge is an intersecting point between the flute and the bevel. If the flute is highly polished, then the resulting edge will be purer like a scalpel blade. Less highly polished flutes have ridges which cause a rippled cutting edge which may cause chatter and is more difficult to control. - The flute profile is very important. The Robert Sorby profile will allow all of the known grind profiles to be achieved - various fingernail profiles, standard grinds, long grinds, Irish grinds and more. This versatility is not possible with some other manufacturers' flute profiles. If the flute is a sharp V profile, then a point forms at the end of your grind. If the flute is not fully formed to the optimum depth then you end up with a huge bevel. This does not allow the tool to be used safely when manipulating the gouge in tight radius situations. - Robert Sorby offer a variety of different handle lengths. Each tool is matched to a given handle to provide the optimum control and balance. Even the novice turner will appreciate that a parting tool, for example, should have a different handle from a bowl gouge as the two tools perform different functions and hence have different leverage requirements. This is often overlooked by certain manufacturers because they do not fully understand the function of the tool. This compromises the usage of the tool. - In addition to this Robert Sorby guarantee full handle securement. Each of the tools have their own securement requirements as each design is subject to different stresses. Failure to understand this results in the blades rotating or smashing out if you experience a dig in or are taking aggressive profiling cuts. This is potentially very dangerous. - There is a difference in the way Robert Sorby tools are hardened and tempered. The steels may be the same specification but are waranteed Sheffield High Speed Steel. The heat treatment process is vital to the performance of the tool. If the blade is not heat treated correctly the blade could shatter during use. If the heat treatment is incorrect then the cutting edge cannot be sharpened correctly, it will not hold an edge. In adjunct to this Robert Sorby gouges can be used to the full length of the flute, without loss of edge retention. There are other differences. Some are very subtle, others are easily identifiable.
If I buy one of your tools can I get help if I have problems.	Yes. We are more than willing to help if we can. You can contact us by phone, fax, e-mail or letter. As a point of interest most of the management team are proficient turners and woodworkers and can usually help.
I have noticed that Robert Sorby offer a variety of handles sizes. Your competitors restrict themselves to far fewer. Why do you offer so many?	Each tool performs a different function and hence each requires a different degree of leverage. This can only be achieved simply and safely when a correctly balanced handle is fitted. For example, the leverage and control required for a parting tool is vastly different from a bowl gouge. Therefore different sizes of handle have to be fitted. It may well be unsafe and uncomfortable to use a handle which is not really suitable for the purpose of the tool. Additionally, large handle ensure that the tool is perfectly secured and will not fly out during use.
How can I find out more about Robert Sorby?	There are a number of ways in which you can learn more about us. You can order a catalogue which carries our full line of products or you can see us at any one of a series of demonstrations open to the public. From time to time we also give talks to woodworking clubs.
Why do so many woodworkers use your products?	Robert Sorby is not just a name that has been in existence for generations. It has done so by producing tools which meet the users requirements. That is why they keep coming back to us. They know that they are purchasing a product with a proven pedigree which will not let them down. Very often we hear from woodworkers who have been persuaded to buy ""just as good"" lookalikes only to find that what they bought was not up the standard they expected. There is no one unique reason that causes woodworkers to specify Robert Sorby. It is a combination of a number of factors - extra long edge retention, reliability, safety, innovation, instructions, customer helpline, extensive selection of products to meet specific tasks and many, many more. When you buy a Robert Sorby product, you have bought peace of mind in the knowledge that it will not let you down. Some manufacturers have sacrificed product quality and suitability for price - that is not the Robert Sorby philosophy.
I have lost my instructions for your Universal Sharpening System can you send me a copy?	Yes, we can. However you can also download copies of all our instructions from the instructions section.
Where can I get help with sharpening my tools?	There are many books on the subject. The most authoritative is by Leonard Lee. The Robert Sorby catalogue does include sections on tool sharpening
Where can I take a beginner's class?	Go to Turners Retreat for a full listing of woodworking classes.
Isn't your RS2000 System just a copy of the Stewart System?	The Robert Sorby RS2000 System is a derivative of the Stewart System and is made under licence from Denis Stewart.
Can I order direct from you?	In general, no. We operate through a network of dealers around the world. However, there are some countries where no such dealer exists. In this case, we will accept direct orders.
Do you manufacture for other brands - or do they manufacture for you?	No - most definitely not.
When are you next demonstrating in Canada?	There is a full list of international demonstrations to be found on the demonstrations page.
Your Sandmaster looks an interesting new product. Where can I find out more about it?	Simply visit the latest products page or request one of our catalogues.
. I've heard that you market the Nova chucks and lathes. Is that true?	Robert Sorby is the exclusive distributor of Nova chucks and lathes in Great Britain and Ireland only. Nova have a worldwide network of dealers who are listed on www.teknatool.com
I have acquired a chisel marked "I & H Sorby" from a garage sale. What can you tell me about it?	Unfortunately very little. I & H Sorby was a totally separate company which became absorbed into William Marples. They ceased using the I & H Sorby mark in the mid-twentieth century.
Do you have any information on metal spinning?	Information on spinning is a rare commodity. We have produced a video on the subject which is aimed at the hobbyist turner.
I am coming to England shortly. Are there any good woodworking shows taking place?	On the demonstrations page, there is a fairly comprehensive list of shows in Britain. The main independent shows are in February in London, in March in Glasgow, in October in Birmingham and in November in Harrogate (Yorkshire).