Choices for a beginner

[skittles2u]

I'm trying to figure out what I need to get started, I've seen many sets in a wide variety of prices.

I would like to try carving, and one thing that fascinates me are the wood spirits. I also like the santas.

What is a minimum I should spend for tools and what are they? I don't want to overbuy if I don't have the patience to practice and like what I do, but I don't want to under-buy and then be frustrated that I don't have the right tools. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Ashbys]

What you asking really isn't that simple, often one thing will lead to another as you will find out.

Rick at www.Littleshavers.com can help you a lot. But I would also suggest you visit Lora Irish site at www.carvingpatterns.com and look though the tutorial section.

Ash

[mikeg]

Another vote here for Rick at Littleshavers.

mikeg

[Tucson Bill]

Add my vote for Rick. He has a great beginners kit (http://www.littleshavers.com/BegKit.html) that is a real bargain. Plus, if you mess up a tool he will sharpen it for free (well, actually you have to pay postage both ways).

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

well just to be different, I will vote for sending the request to theresa at littleshavers LOL....she does all the work anyway!

[Micky]

Hi Skittles2U,
I am also a beginner and I have really benefited from the beginner set from Rick at LittleShavers.com. It comes with everything you need to get started, and all of the tools are sharpended and ready to use. AND it is only around $50US.
Good luck
micky

[Mitchell]

Here's a previous discussion on knives....

http://woodcarvingillustrated.com/fo...ecommendations

Also, look in the "Tools and Sharpening" forum for more beginner ideas.

That said, you can't go wrong with ^ the suggestions above.

REMEMBER - wear a glove!

[Thomp]

skittles2u,

I also recommend the beginners kit from ricks,

Ive carved all my life with about any kind of knife you could think of but in the last 3 years i found palm tools make cuts cleaner and better than (I can) with a knife, I looked all over for the gouges, i found some here locally for $24.00+tax a chip knife for $19.00 plus tax they were store sharp and not sharp enough to care with so an Arkansas stone slip strop and slip was needed then a glove a thumb guard and it never ends but these are the basic necessities,,

i had $65.00 tied up and hadn't carved the first chip..

ricks kit is $39.95 + $6.95 s&H they come ready to carve with right out of the box.

this is the bare essentials you ll need to get started with just about anything,, as a beginner.

i know you don't want to over buy in case you find carving just isn't your thing,

you don't have to buy from rick but then again one tool in other places could cost as much as the whole kit.

this kit will get you started as safe as you can get when dealing with razor sharp tools, you still can get pokes and scratches all you need is a box of good band aids ..

besides if you decide carving is not for you, the nice wooden case is a nice gift box that can be given to any young carver....