A gouging wire electrode comprising a metal shell, and a powdery or particulate filler section packed into the metal shell, the composition of the filler section comprising 80-95% by weight of carbon and 5-20% by weight of thermosetting resin binder, the bulk density of the filler section being 1.2-1.7 g/cm.sup.3 and the cross-sectional area of the filler section being 60-90% of the total cross-sectional area. It produces stabilized arcs during electric discharge and is consumed slowly and can replace the conventional carbon electrode.