Need opinions on carving tools

[Dave Parkis]

I recently came into some carving tools and I don't have any idea whether they're worth keeping or not. There are 2 brands. First is a "set" of 8 by a German company called Solingen. The other "set" is 4 gouges by G. Wade. My question is this: are these any good? TIA!!

[Mike Henderson]

They are only good if you need them and are going to use them.

All name brands of carving tools are good. The difference is how the tool "fits" to the carver. Whether the handle fits to your hand, and whether you like the weight of the metal part of the tool. Carving tools are usually just plain old carbon steel and that's all they need to be. You don't sharpen them on a grinder so you won't destroy the temper. I have a brand I like but others have their own preferences. The problem with sets is that you usually get one or two tools that you rarely used.

Sharpen them and put them to work. If you like them, they're good tools. If you don't like them, they're not good tools.

Mike

[Sean Hughto]

Solingen has a reputation for being excellent steel.