There are three tools in the Hamlet hollowing system line-up ranging from the slim and agile 'Little Sister' thorough the handy 'Little Brother' to the heft of the 'Big Brother' on its sturdy 5/8 inch shaft.
The principle of the 'Brother' range hollowing tools is a loop, or ring, cutter which is covered by a highly polished edge protector which acts as the "bevel" when hollowing, preventing the tool from digging in or grabbing. The result is a tool which gives an incredibly smooth cut surface to the hollowed object, of a standard that many turners would be pleased to be able to achieve on the outside of their work! The depth of cut is easily adjusted by slackening a single Allen screw, which also allows the head to be swivelled to allow easy access under the shoulders of vessels: the total range of movement is around 300 degrees! Swan-neck stems are also available so that deep undercutting behind deep shoulders in vessels presents no problems.
The ability to slide the shank of the tool into the handle, leaving only the minimum necessary to complete the cut protruding, reduces the torque on the handle very considerably. The "Big Brother" version of the tool was very favourably reviewed by master turner John Hunnex in Issue No 92 of "Woodturning" magazine, October 2000.
Finally the Siragas influence is completed by the availability of a set of six scraper tips which can be mounted in place of the hollowing cutter. For those who may wish to acquire and use these without the full Big Brother system, Hamlet have introduced a short handle upon which the scraper tips can be mounted.
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