re: Live oak bowl

Just don't uses most spindle turning tools to turn bowls.  If the tool is made with a flat tang, it is not safe to use when turning bowls.  Spindle gouges that are made from round stock are OK but most roughing gouges and so called continental spindle gouges that are forged from flat stock can fail in a bad catches when turning bowls or any blanks where the end grain is not on the spindle and tail stock.  While you should not use a skew turning bowls, you can use it laying flat on the tool rest like a negative rake scraper without issue.    Green wood is best when learning to turn bowls.  If you can find a piece of green Bradford pear, it is one of the best for learning as are any of the fruit tree woods.