Carving Tools
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- This topic has 5 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 3 months ago by Nathan Warren.
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Hello everyone. I am interested in learning carving. My question is what would be a good set of tools to start with? Not necessarily the brand, but which tools. Is there a set out on the market that is good for the beginner or do I only need a gouge, parting tool and a skew? I appreciate any advice and look forward to what folks have to say. Thanks.
19 January 2014 at 6:50 am #26185I am in the same boat as you so this probably wont be any help, but I once asked the same question to a guy at the Woodcraft store and he told me there isn’t one, I should buy each carving chisel as I need them. His answer kind of makes sense, because the work that you will be carving will determine what sizes and shapes you need. You might buy a 7 piece set and need some chisels that aren’t in the set and not need some that are. I have been shopping around for carving chisels and a lot of companies sell a small set which includes but are not limited to:
#3 x 8mm (5/16in.) straight gouge
#6 x 8mm (5/16in.) straight gouge
#9 x 8mm (5/16in.) straight gouge
#3 x 14mm (1/2in.) Allongee gouge
#6 x 14mm (1/2in.) Allongee gouge
#9 x 14mm (1/2in.) straight gouge
60° V tool x 10mm (3/8in.)
Pretty much a few gouges and a v tool. The set above is an Auriou “basic set”. I believe that pfiel Swiss made’s 7 tool set has different size gouges, but still gouges and a v tool. So I guess we might have to just buy a couple that we think we might need and go from there. I look forward to seeing what experienced carvers have to say on the topic.19 January 2014 at 7:32 am #26186I was bought a carving tool set as a gift. It contains, I think, 12 or 16 tools of different types. I have so far used only one, supporting Nathan’s comments above. I have, however, found it necessary to buy several individual gouges to complete projects.
The sets look great but I wonder if the tools they contains can all be of use?
19 January 2014 at 4:30 pm #26203Good carving tools are not cheap, and the cheap ones are not necessarily very friendly to use. There are a lot of recommendations out there, but the approach I took was to buy what I needed to do the projects I wanted to do. Mary May has a website that is very helpful with beginning carving, she does a good job of demonstrating the basic skills and how to use the tools. If you go to her website, she has some free videos showing some basics, as well as projects/lessons that you would pay for or subscribe to. For each project she tells you on the front end what tools she uses. It is a good way to get started.
21 January 2014 at 3:42 am #26298aferris, If you live in the US, I believe Mary May teaches classes at Roy Underhill’s Woodwright’s school in North Carolina. I’m sure that would be a cool place to take some carving lessons. I am saving some money to take a couple classes there in the future.
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