carving tools for NEWBIE

[Mike Henderson]

Well, I have always been interested in carving and I have a project. I am almost done with a bed I am making for my son, I do not want to cover the bed bolts with shiny metal. I was thinking a shell. So I have to make a shell, what do I need? I did buy this set from LV, not sure if that is sufficient for a 3" shell.

I understand the class option, here in Arkansas that is basically a non option. I do have an offer from Todd, up in Mountain Home, to visit his shop and he will get me going.

There's shells and then there's shells. If you've never carved before, I would recommend a simple shell something like the one in the picture (in mahogany). I've taught one day (6 hour) courses in how to carve this shell and the students seem to be able to accomplish it pretty well - but that's with hands on instruction.

You'd need a #12/6, a #2/5, a #2/20, and a #8/4 to carve it (all numbers in the Pfeil system).

Mike

[Zahid Naqvi]

Thanks Marcus, that looks like a pretty good set for the money, specially since someone has already used them.

[Louis Bois]

Don't...I repeat, DO NOT buy Auriou carving tools!!!! They're out of business now and I don't have all the ones I want yet!

STAY AWAY!!!

VERBOTEN!!!!

INTERDIT!!!

[Steven Wilson]

You've received good advice so far. I highly second the notion of taking a carving class, it's a very different mind set than some of the other woodworking/turning we do. The most important skill you'll learn is how to sharpen and hone your tools. A well formed, sharp tool is easy to carve with. A poorly sharpened or formed tool is a nightmare and dangerous to use. Personally I use Two Cherries carving tools - no better or worse than others they just fit in with the Two Cherries chisels I have

[Michael Hammers]

I started out with the Pfeil chisels and thought they did a good job. It looks like chisel prices for the likes of Stubai, Two Cherries and Pfeil are in the 25-30 dollar per tool range. I would bet the steel is all pretty much about the same or pretty close in this arena.

I was going to reccomend the Cape Forge however they have increased to around 54-68 dollar per tool now. I own alot of them and can attest to the edge retention and comfort over the Pfeil. For a beginner though I could see that being a little much.

I would highly reccomend two books by Chris Pye if you are just starting out and do not have access to classes. Woodcarving tools & equipment vol. 1 & 2 and Relief carving in wood a practical intoduction. This will help alot with understanding how to sharpen and also a confidence builder with a fish project. From what I have learned and from listening to others, dull carving tools lead to more frustration and abandonment than anything else when learning to carve.

[Wiley Horne]

Everything Mike Henderson said--right down the line. And with a particular focus on sharpening. Even though all edge tools have to be sharp to work right, it is especially critical for a carving gouge, and gouges present greater difficulty to beginners in 'getting the hang' of how to sharpen them.

This is one other benefit of the Pfeils. They come really sharp from the factory. Now you still have to learn how to sharpen them obviously, but they're sharp enough from the factory to give the beginner an idea of what sharp actually means in a gouge--it becomes the goal of your own sharpening. Ashley Iles also come quite sharp from Joel, and I like them a lot because of their overall quality, and I like the round handles for some reason. In fact, once I get the Ashley Iles bevel ground down flatter, I prefer them. The Pfeils come with a pretty flat bevel, and I agree with Mike they're the best to start with.

Starting out with vintage gouges is frought with many difficulties. One of the things you want in a gouge is for the shoulders to be square--this will rarely be the case with a vintage gouge. The probabilities are that you will need to be expert in shaping, rebeveling, and sharpening gouges to take best advantage of the vintage gouges.

Wiley

[Dave McGeehan]

Pfeil "Swiss Made" are my favorites. I'd strongly advise against buying a set. It's better to buy the gouges as you need them for each project. The best way to get your feet wet is to join a local carving club in your area or take a few classes.

[Garry McKinney]

I will add a little here, only because of a simple thing about different interest. There are many types of carving, and because there is so many different types it is often up to the person to decide what might be best for that person.

Full tools can often be intimadating to a new carver . Many carvers wish to do little figures, Santa Claus and that type of carving , others wish to make pictures in relief , still other wish to do moldings, egg and dart. All the styles use the same tools, there is also the power carving, where a grinder is used to form and detail the carving.

There iare the carvings which use only a knife , and those that use chainsaws.

Let her decide what type of carving she wishes to do. That will help her decide on what tools she will want to use. If she wishes to do 6 inch tall figures while sitting in a chair , full size tools will be cumbersome, most of this style carving is done with knives. If she wants to carve chairs , then consider only the full size mallet chisels they will serve her better.

No mater what carving type she decides to do , there will always be another chisel she wants, plam tool or mirco. Many people only carve with palm tools, and have never purchased a full mallet chisel.

No mater what she choses, buy professional quality, Ashley Isles, Pfiel, Stubi, two cherries ect. There is a reason professional use these tool, because they hold up to extreams day after day.

Also a good site for beginners is littleshavers.com . Rick is a carver, he does hobos and he is a toolmaker. He gives lifetime free sharping for most of the tools he sells. And your tools will be delivered sharp.

Learning the difference between a sharp tool and one that is perceived to be sharp in an eye opening experence.

Garry

[Daniel Heine]

Rick at little shavers has a beginners set of tools that are very reasonably priced. The great part is that when you get them, they are razor sharp, and ready to carve. Try these, and if she likes it, you can invest 1-2 thousand on the good stuff. Try this link:

http://www.littleshavers.com/BegKit.html

Take a few minutes to look around his web site. It is amazing.

Dan Heine

[Corey Hallagan]

Some will say stay away from the cheaper tools etc. The problem I have been shown with some of these is that the angles are ground wrong etc. and are difficult to sharpen properly for the beginner for that reason. THey can be made of good quality steel but if ground improperly they won't work well.

As Daniel says above, Rick at Little Shavers has a great little kit. Rick grinds each tool carefully and they are expertly sharp when received and ready to go. The kit includes a glove, thumb guard, strop and compound, Murphy bench knife and 6 palm tools. The light colored tools in the pics I posted above are from this set. I highly recommend it for the beginner. Not only that, Rick offers free sharpening of any tool you buy from him. How many do that? I think it is a great kit to get started with and I have added to it from there. Hope this helps.

Corey

[Dan Barr]

That's a nice seashell Mike. Very neat and precise. You can tell that it was very deliberately and well laid out.

ciao,

dan

[Antoine Gautier]

Don't...I repeat, DO NOT buy Auriou carving tools!!!! They're out of business now and I don't have all the ones I want yet!

Auriou does not seem to be out of business... http://www.forge-de-saint-juery.com/