[Captain_Bandaid]

I have read where a lot of the carvers on this board do not recommend buying a whole set because they end up using only one or two out of the set. I suspect these folks are not relief carvers. To properly set-in a relief carving requires many different sweeps to fit all the various curves. The more you have the better the fit. Now, I realize you can also use a knife to cut in the outline if you are using soft wood but if it is a high relief, you cannot cut as deep with a knife as you can with a gouge or chisel. Don't shy away from buying a GOOD set with 6-18 tools. Each tool is made for a specific job so you need to learn how to use them all. Limiting yourself to one or two gouges will only limit your education as a carver. Professional carvers have HUNDREDS of tools for a good reason. If they could get by with only a few, they would.

Capt., when I advised against buying a whole set of carving tools, it was to a beginner who asked about what to buy to get started. I'll stick to that advice, for two reasons.

First, a beginner doesn't know if he/she will really enjoy carving, and if they can get a few basic tools for under a hundred bucks, they won't be out much if they decide that carving isn't really their bag.

Second, most beginners will want to start carving a few simple patterns first, and most of these can be accomplished with a good bench knife and perhaps a set of Rammelson style palm tools.

For an advanced carver looking to specialize, there are several sets of gouges out there designed for specific genre. ie, face carving, general relief, classic relief, etc. At this point a good set will greatley enhance the work.

from there on, individual purchases can add to ease of carving, or more advanced sets can be added.

Al

[Colin_Partridge]

I can see both your points of view and I guess once you have been carving for a while you learn so much more. I know for instance that I brought about 10 tools when I started it was a cheap set and gave me all kinds of grief. I then progressed to buy about 6 Pheil tools and found that carving was so much more fun. After that I added and added until now my tools are worth a fortune. I have heard other carvers say that they have all of these tools and only use one or two. I for one use every tool in my collection and would not start a commission usless I have them all with me. I agree each tool has a specific purpose and you quickly realize that purpose when you cant find it.
So I will stay neutral on this one as I can see the pro's and con's of both opinions.
Colin

[icarve2003]

I agree with you Colin, I see both points of view. When I started carving, I was borrowing my grandfathers knife. After about 6 months, I went out and bought my own for about $15.00. I used only that knife and my Dremel for about 2 years, then I thought I'd try some chisels. I got a starter set of Lee Valley chisels for Christmas about 4 years ago, and I use every one. I got a nice set of Henry Taylor palm tools last summer as well and just last night, I was using both sets. I do have my favourites, but each one accomplishes it's own task.

I'm a tool freak to begin with, I'll buy it whether I need it or not, but I do use everything in my carving arsenal.

Chris

As home owners, I'm sure we've all learned you can get most things done with only a few tools (duct tape and screw nails, for example ). But there are times when a certain tool makes all the difference, or is the only tool to properly do a job. I suspect carving is the same. I could probably do most of my smaller projects with a straight knife, a V tool, and a 8mm #5 gouge. But, those other knives and gouges sure come in handy when I need one.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Well lets see? maybe we should be telling the new folks to buy all the tools they can get their hands on, and only the highest quality!! That way, if they don't like carving, look at the deals we can get on 'used' carving tools!! lol :P : who said that? did you say that? Nope I didn't say that!! who was that masked man?

[Ric]

Capt'n
Good to see you back. We miss your words of wisdom. Al makes a good point about new carvers. I think they need to have a some direction where they want to go in carving before they lay down big bucks for tools. I agree with you however that there are good deals on sets that add tremendous versitility to your carving. I bought a fairly large set of Pfeil gouges early on and still add to my collection. Don't know if I will ever have enough tools. But it goes without saying that most of the sets sold on ebay are crap. IMHO.
Ric

[mdallensr]

If money is a serious concern, buy a good set. They're much cheaper in a set of 6 or 12, and any decent carver is going to use that many tools. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have to drive over an hour each way to the nearest source of carving tools, and that's an expensive Woodcraft store. So, I don't run out and buy a new tool as I find a need for it. Either I have it when I need it or I do without it. I have about 50 gouges now, and I know I use them all because I have to sharpen all of them. I could have easily spent more than my carving tool purchases on a good table saw, so it's not outrageous to buy a fair number of really good tools. If you take good care of your tools, they'll last a lifetime, so a $1,000 investment works out to $20-$30 a year. As many know, there is a good market for GOOD used carving tools, so even if someone loses interest, they can recover a lot of their investment.

The problem with buying in sets is; once you have all the tools, you have no reason to buy more.

I believe that shopping for tools is a nice diversion from using them.

Yeah - and the new catalogs ought to be out soon - Yahooooooo!!!