Mitch, I also agree it's important how you approach the bark. "Left to right" changes depending on if you're on the inside or outside of the bowl. I always start the cut from the outside of the bark. That can be left -> right, or right -> left.
Here's what I used for some of the roughing on this bowl (away from the bark):
It's a 24" Monster handle holding a prototype 5/8" hexagonal boring bar that Randy asked me to try out. It's a very beefy setup. For a cutting bit on this bowl, I used a 5/16" HSS cutter from my hollowing rig. The hex boring bar is really geared to hold Randy's carbide cutter (which is also on a hex shaft), and the set screws are set up in such a way as to allow a wide variety of presentation angles.
Anyway, at about 33" long, there's not a lot of beating going on, and with the HSS bit in it, it pulls off 1/4" to 1/2" deep cuts when sharp.
As I mentioned, I also have some carbide tools similar to the Ci1, so I'm not completely unfamiliar with the concept. These are made by
some guy in New Mexico. They have a 5/8" round shaft that fits into one of my Monster handles.
They can cut very aggressively if pushed, or take fine finishing cuts if you present them lighter. Still, I have more fun shooting wet curlies off a sharp bowl gouge.
It's not a race for me...I'm in it for the fun.