advice wanted - tool recommendations

[want2carve]

Just starting out, do i need lots of gouges and things, or can i get by with a good knife, if so any recommendations please

want2carve

[carvedbears61]

Take some beginner class .
Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply they have a complete kit for beginners. And keep it tuned in right here.
cb

[Donsexton]

Hello and welcome, you can do every thing I do with a knife its just a matter of how fast. I have a new apparition for what you can do with a knife. You can do it all just on a smaller scale. But with more detail and when you are finished its just you the knife and wood.

[susieq]

If you want to gouge and chisel carve....along with a knife for some applications, your best bet is to check with Rick Ferry at Little Shavers woodcarving. Rick will sell you a good starter set of basic tools that will do anything you want to do. And..unlike many vendors of carving tools, Rick will make sure they are razor sharp when you receive them. Most new tools need sharpened.

But by all means, do try to locate a carving group in your area. It might not even be a formal class, just a bunch of carvers who get together and carve, but they will take you under their wing and show you so much that otherwise, might take you quite a while to learn on your own. Sharp tools and learning how to use them, those are the keys to getting started.
good luck and happy carving.

[Mitchell]

It really depends on what you want to carve.

Also, use the search function and type in "beginner recommendations".... you'll find LOTS of old threads offering advise. You may have to pick through to find what intrests you specifically, but that way, you'll be able to ask more direct questions.

Best advice I can give - learn to use a glove early and learn to sharpen your tools!

[Bill102M]

What tools do I need? Well that's a pretty ambiguous question. I personally think I never have enough gouges or knives. The real truth is it is totally up to you and what you think you need. I have seen some truly remarkable carvings done with nothing more than a pocket knife and a chisel. Best advice I can give is to say, just start a project and see what you think you require to achieve the results that meet your standards. Everyone has their favorite tools. I have four full sets of gouges and probably use only 6-8 most of the time. The rest are really great to have for that certain affect. Visit a couple of carving clubs in your area and get opinions from other carvers. See what they use, the variables are endless, but it will give you a place to start.

[Hooked on Carving]

Depends on what type of carving you want to do. If it's relief, I'd say you need a few gouges. In the round(3 dimensional) you can use a couple of knives 1 roughing out and a detail knife for small stuff. Gouges speed things up especially when your doing hair, a knife gets to be too tedious! A v gouge will speed up the process. The most important thing you'll need is protection. A leather glove and some self stick tape from a pharmacy is all you need to keep safe! Have fun and give it a whirl!

[chuckbolton]

after i started carving and was into it to the tune of several hundred dollars in tools-- i watched an instructor teach for 5 days and his students used nothing but a knife- i wish i had the oppurtunity to take that class. the tools should be an extension of your hand-- learn to make an assortment of tools do what you want them to do-- i know some very good carvers that have less than 10 gouges and or v-tools and a knife-- one instructor i know uses a knife 90% of the time-- hes not putting down a tool and taking time looking for a picking up another tool. that being said-- i have between 20 and 30 tools-- tho i use less than 10 regularly-- i have only 2 tools that i use for only for relief. you will get as many answers to your questions as people who respond-- little shavers sell a nice set-- i think its 3 tools and some safely gloves-- its a good places to start. im sure that you can get some good advice and similar pieces at other locations also. -- find a good instructor- or someone who you are comfortable working with. and knowing how to sharpen your tools is as important as the tools you have. good luck and have lots of fun-

[cowtown]

I second SuziQ's advice. Unlike some other artists, woodcarvers are very generous with their time and knowledge. Find a local club ( try the Club Search to the left). Go several times without tools, sit and watch and ask questions. You will soon figure out what you want to carve and what tools you need. If you get in too much of a hurry, you will waste money on tools you don't need. Thats hard for an enthusiastic newbie. " fools rush in......"
Bigboy

[dick]

Speaking of being new, no matter what I do Icannot get away from having "fuzzys' all over the piece.........is there a way to avoid it or clean them up. My knives are sharp