wood carving tools

[fort fireman]

I would like to try my hand at some carving on my next build. I tried to go get some tools today. I went to three different wood working stores and they were all out of business. Now I'm looking on-line for some tools. The only problem is I have no idea who makes good tools that will last and not brek the bank. Does anyone have a preference to a tool make or web site that has a good selection of good tools. I'm just looking for a starter type set with the basic tools to get strted. Andy

 

[Roy]

http://www.flexcut.com/

 

[agill]

I would reccomend Pheil Swiss Made tools!

 

[Zonie]

I like the flexcut brand.

When a company puts some band-aids in the box with their tools it gives a subtle hint about how sharp they are. :grin:

 

[bioprof]

I've ordered quite a few supplies from Woodcraft www.woodcraft.com

They sometimes have good bargains among their clearance items. I've bought a couple of chisels from them, including a Pfeil V-parting chisel on clearance.

If you keep an eye on their web site, they frequently will have offers for free shipping which can save a bunch. Signing up for their email list also can result in coupons for free shipping. You have to keep watching and be patient though. Sometimes the free shipping is only for a few days during a month.

 

[Rogue River]

www.littleshavers.com

 

[longshot47]

Another one you might try: http://www.warrencutlery.com

 

[DTCoffin]

I just got a set of 12 woodcraft tools and some sharpening stones and spent about $200.For the first time carver and occasional builder I don't think you need to spend $15-20 per tool, i couldn't justify it personally.When they arrived I tried them out on a piece of scrap and they cut nice, then I honed and stropped them, Lookout curly maple , these bad boys are sharp !

 

[ehoff]

The best advice I can give is buy good quaility tools. Its better to have six good tools then a dozen cheap ones that are made out of poor steel. They cost more upfront, but its worth it in the long run. Along with the tools get the items you need to take care of them, slip stones, etc. I prefer the "Swiss Made" brand sold by Woodcraft, but there are many other good brands of tools out there.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Amen, used to be that you could buy some cheap junk carving chisels for a couple bucks at the discount stores. I don't think they even used carbon steel.

A good set is gonna be pricey, no matter. And there are the large Totoem Pole carving tools, the medium furniture carving tools, the even smaller cuckoo clock type carving tools and then the fine ones suitable for incising long rifles.

There was a wood carving shop when I last visited Dollywood in TN. I watched in amazement at the ease with which the carver worked, even with giant chisels and gouges and in oak no less. It was a sight to behold. And then I asked about th tools. He claimed the gouge he was using, maybe 2 inches across, was itself over $200. Some thing about Sweden or some Scandinavian country.
Quite a surprise, but with what I saw him doing and the ease of it, well worth it.

I have a carving set that came from Austria. It was given to me when I was around 12, by an elderly friend of the family with the story that it had been his when he was my age and his uncle's before that. They are good, but hard to keep a good edge on. I use a fine ouachita stone that came with the set.

 

[Roy]

flex cut are decently priced and they are made with good steel that come with, hold and take a good edge. Are they the best? nope... do they work for me? yep. :v

 

[ricklandes]

I think for a starter you might be better to buy a few select ones rather than a small handful in a "set". Woodcraft is a good source I personally like for Pfiel Swiss Made tools. A very good brand. As noted watch them for bargains on shipping or just call and see if any deals are available to you as a customer. After all the economy is hurting, you might as well try to put it to your advantage.

I would suggest a V tool, a moderately flat gouge about 1/2" wide (all sizes will be in variations of curve and width) and a flat chisel about 3/8 wide. Get a flewtool stroping kit (about $15 with a stick of flexgold compound)I believe you will be able to do most carving with these. If you find you are in need of a specific carver, say a small gouge to cut a small incised design, then go and buy just that.

You will be scraping, sanding or otherwise smoothing areas in your carving. These can be made from some fairly common items w/o additional out of pocket.

I am telling you all of this based on my past experience of buying a 6 or 7 chisel set and favoring only a few. I would re-do my experience as noted above if I were to do it again.

 

[rmonday2]

Are the Palm carving tool ideal for gun work and what would be the top 3 to 5 tools need to do relief carving? Thanks, Ronnie

 

[bioprof]

Rather than a flat chisel, I like to use a fishtail gouge about 3/8" wide with just a slight curve. The curve cuts through the wood along the sides of the gouge rather than tearing out the wood as a flat chisel will sometimes do. Larger fishtail gouges are very useful for removing the background around relief carving.

I built my first muzzleloader which was a Vincent half stock with just a flat chisel that I made from a small screwdriver. I prefer using the fishtail gouge for 80% of my carving now though.