[john lucas]

It is an excellent skew. If you don't already own a skew I would highly recommend it. If you do own a skew and are looking at it to solve problems or make it easier, it won't. All skews are basically the same as far as skills to use it. Practice is what makes you a good skew user, not what tool you use. If your already good with the skew the Lacer skew has some advantages.
Here is my video on comparing skews.

There are also some excellent skew videos by Alan Lacer on youtube.

 

[john lucas]

You will love Alans class. He's a great guy and really good instructor. I prefer straight edge skews myself but it's just my style of turning.
If your having trouble using the spindle master then the skew is going to fight you as well. You may not be riding the bevel properly. The spindle master when used as a bevel rubbing tool is really not any easier to use than a spindle gouge and will have the same catches as a skew if you don't rub the bevel.
Here is my video on skew practice. It is also a very good project for learning to use the spindle gouge or spindle master because the techniques are very similar.

 

[john lucas]

My friend Nick Cook teaches the skew as the first tool. He says it's easier for students to understand the bevel, where it is and how to use the bevel to control the cut. The bowl gouge or spindle bevel being curved is much harder to understand. He has them turn what he calls a Garden Dibble, kind of like a giant golf tee but with a handle instead of a golf ball head. It's used in gardens to poke a hole in the soil. An easy project and perfect for the skew.