Coring tools and related methods

A coring bit for extracting a sample of subterranean formation material from a well bore, the coring bit comprising:

• a bit body comprising:
• a bit face;
• an inner surface defining a substantially cylindrical cavity;
• a tubular body within the substantially cylindrical cavity of the bit body and comprising:
• an inner tube;
• and
• a core shoe at an end of the inner tube and having an interior surface exhibiting a tapered portion;
• a core catcher within the core shoe and exhibiting a wedge-shaped portion adjacent the tapered portion of the interior surface of the core shoe;
• at least one face discharge channel inlet in the inner surface of the bit body longitudinally above a widest portion of the core shoe and proximate an upper end of the core catcher;
• and
• at least one face discharge channel extending through the bit body from the at least one face discharge channel inlet to the bit face.

A method of forming a coring bit for extracting a sample of subterranean formation material from a well bore, the method comprising:

• providing a bit body having a bit face and an inner surface defining a substantially cylindrical cavity of the bit body;
• forming at least one inlet of a face discharge channel in the inner surface of the bit body;
• forming at least one face discharge channel extending through the bit body from the at least one inlet to the bit face;
• providing a tubular body within the substantially cylindrical cavity of the bit body, the tubular body comprising an inner tube and a core shoe at an end of the inner tube, the core shoe having an interior surface exhibiting a tapered portion, and a widest portion of the core shoe located longitudinally below the at least one inlet of the face discharge channel;
• and
• providing a core catcher within the core shoe at a location longitudinally at or below the at least one inlet of the face discharge channel and exhibiting a wedge-shaped portion adjacent the tapered portion of the interior surface of the core shoe.