Advise on Tools

[pheenix]

Recent beginner, looking for directions on new tools. I have completed several projects now. And they are actually starting to look like what I intended them to look like when I started. My first project, well I had no clue what it was when I finished. I am looking for advise on tools to build my collection. I am OK with spending money if the tools are worth it. I currently have Henry Taylor (Palms), and Robert Sorby (sculpture size), but nothing in between. Any input or direction on where to build the tool box would be appreciated. Two questions I have are #1, What type of Chisels are most useful with carving. Is there a big difference Bench and Box Chisels, other than size. #2, I need advise on carving knives, have no clue on these at all. Thanks for any help/advice, any tool names or web sites would be appreciated.

[Buffalo Bif]

RE knives, there are only two types (IMO) striaght blade and curved. Of course there are different sizes. After that every carver has his fav, and there are a lot of well made knives out there, prices range from 10 bucks up close to 100. Carbon steel will typically hold an edge longer thatn stainless. Chances are you are interested in a bench knife (or two, or more) as opposed to a folding pocket knife. Not sure if this was helpful....

[carvingbarn]

You have some good tools. It depends a lot on what you want to carve. If you live in an area where there are some carving clubs you may want to try one out. It is a great place to learn about what tools are use and how for different types of carvings. You can also look at a lot of YouTube videos on carving to see what tools the use for different carving.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

My favorites, Drake Knives.com, awesome tools, both knives and gouges.(IMHO) They have a new catalog that shows many more tools then what they show on their website.

Dave

[Mitchell]

Plenty of older threads on tool recommendations.....knives and gouges.

You would get better answers if you told what you are interested in carving.

Your other post mentioned one important aspect - being able to hold the tool and actually feeling it in your hands.

[STAR]

Sometimes you have to put your toe in the water and then jump. When you first start out i think you are very fortunate if you get it right first up.

For me, its the journey, not so much the destination because i know not where that might be. I probably did it back to front but because i like to make some old tools I was given an old High Speed metal circular saw that was cracked. I cut it down and made two bench knives, on was a detail knife and the other more a general hogging off knife with a bit more heft in it.

Because I could sharpen woodworking tools reasonably well I got them pretty sharp. But then reading all the stuff in this forum it appeared to me that for a beginner the most important thing is sharpening. So, intrigued I had to find out if my woodworking sharp was up to the carviong sharp that I think most get here.

So, with the help of this forum I bit the bullet and purchased an Alan Goodman knife with the stipulation to him that it was the sharpness that I was really purchasing and not just the knife. When it arrived I could see that I needed to upgrade my sharpening skills to a few more levels.

Most of the upgrade was really spending a bit more time on each step of the grinding and then sharpening and then honing. You will not need to reinvent the wheel, because you will have more choices than I had but I suggest to save yourself some grief and frustration realize that some manufacturers blades are nor carving sharp so you have to do that yourself. An expensive blunt knife is as useless as cheap one.

Do your self a favour when you buy your first one make sure it has been pre sharpened for you. You have a few choices and I think Rick from Little Shavers does this for you with what he sells. I may have gone that way but I do not think he sells and delivers outside the USA.

I also have an Irwin Utility knife with the disposable blades which I like to give a quick honing before I use them for the first time. But our wood here is a bit harder than the basswood you have available.

To me, sharpness at this stage of your carving career is more important than what you actually use. In time you will gather more tools and knives around you as you see where you are heading.

Pete

[davidinsarasota]

Bench and box chisels sound like carpenter's tools; not very suitable for carving. As carvingbarn mentioned, Sorby and Taylor are first rate manufacturers, and since you are familiar with them already, you would not go wrong adding the same once you have determined your immediate uses for them.

Veiners are extremely useful profiles, and you would not go wrong getting a large, medium and small.

A mid sized V tool can be useful, and you should have one to find out.

#8 or # 9 are good all around gouges, but you will have to match size to the type of work you want to do.

#2 or #3 are good clean up gouges

Skews are good for corners and shaving.

My most important tool is my Veritas carving vise; it stabilizes my workpiece while allowing full access.

Have fun