Years ago, most turning tools came without handles, leaving turners to fashion their own to their specific needs. This made perfect sense as who better suited to make a wood handle than a wood turner. Turners were able to make handles that better fit their hands, were designed for the task at hand and that used whatever wood was readily available. Robert Sorby offers the majority of their tools in unhandled versions to allow turners the flexibility to turn their own custom handles. These High Speed Steel (HSS) tools are the exact same as the ones in their handled tools. These HSS tools are easily sharpened and will keep a sharpened edge about six times longer than carbon steel and resist "blued" softening from overheating during grinding or from heavy use. This blade is NOT compatible with the Robert Sorby Sovereign System Modular handles. Solid brass Robert Sorby ferrules are available separately.