Full size Bench Gouges

[Jim-Iowa]

I would like to start a collection of Mallet Tools.
I have one of Chris Pye's books and he reccomends 11 tools to start with.
Besides the veiner & V Tool he chose 3 widths of 3 different sweeps.
I can't afford all of them at once.
Should I go smallest/largest or smallest and the middle one?
And then add the other later as I see the need?

[BobD]

If you have an enclosed ground, it's difficult to use a large gouge; if you have a wide open area, you can take multiple cuts with a flat, but small gouge to smooth the surface...so...I'd suggest going with the small and medium gouges.

If I were you, though, I'd forgo the deepest medium-width gouge, and pick up a large flat flat to medium sweep gouge...I've got a 20 mm#3 Pfiel that I use ALL the time. It's great for hogging off wood, and you can use it to flatten a background as well.

Bob

[Paul_Guraedy]

Jim, I think a lot depends on what you mean by "collection". If you have what you need for your preferred carving in palm size, etc. and simply want to acquire some mallet tools; then it does not matter where you start. If you have "gaps" in your current tool kit; then I would recommend starting there. Also, I would not purchase a collection of tools on someone else's recommendation....no matter who it is!

I had a fairly broad collection of tools when I decided to get some mallet size. I started with tools that were larger than the ones I had in my kit. Just as I did for my current tools, I acquired them as I needed (well, my wife say's wanted) them. But, I also intended to start carving full-size birds of prey and could use the larger sizes.

Just saw that BobD had responded and thought of something else I should have said. When I started with mallets, I told someone that I should have gotten these to start with and foregone the smaller tools (I had been watching Gerald Sears carve small things with large tools). I soon realized that I was wrong. Big tools are nice and I love having them; but, small tools (handles and the sharp end) will work where big ones can't. I will replace my smaller tools as necessary; but, will not do without them.

[chuckbolton]

id get the intermidiate size-- u can use a mallet and still its easy to use with out a mallet-- the large size mallet tools are so large they are hard to use as hand tools-- id get a 8-25, 5-11, 10-11, 15-11 and maybe a 20-11-- for a v-gouge id get a 60 and a 90 degree tool and for flatter gauges-- i have a couple of 3's but the 5' are better for me. get one 1/2", 1" and something wider-- the 5 i have that i use the most are denny's and the one i use with a mallet is a 20-3 -- the intermidiate tools i have are all swissmade-- stubi makes a good tool but for me its very thick and hard to sharpen-- only my opinion and im sure you will get many more.

[Jim-Iowa]

Paul You ask a reasonable question. Yes I do have a couple sets of palm tools and would not abandon them. I also want to try some larger projects and relief carving.
One of my personal challenges is that I am blind in the left eye and left handed, which effects my depth perception to some degree( though being that way since birth I have learned to compensate some).
I find I'm not as comfortable holding a project in one hand and working on it with a sharp palm tool. Since my doctor has me on blood thinners my wife gets all in a dither when I puncture myself. And "when Mamma ai'nt Happy ain't nobody happy".
So since I won't abandon this pursuit I want to bolt The project to a fixture on the table and get both hands behind the cutting edge.

[mark yundt]

I tend to favor Bob's suggestions. I don't have any palm chisels so everything I carve is done with full size tools. I don't really consider them mallet tools. I do use a mallet with them,,but mainly to set stop cuts. To me they are just carving tools.And I tend to favor the narrower sizes,,very few over 12 mm wide. Bob's reasons are valid. Very seldom do I find myself reaching for large ,wide chisels though. The can be a bit awkward to handle accurately. Removing wood quickly,,,well,,maybe,,but I like the less effort required with a narrower chisel and does just as good a job and is then more versatile for the money spent to use more often in other situations.
Jim,,your idea on carving is the only way I carve. Besides being more powerful and accurate,,I haven't poked myself in 17 yrs.,,,and I get a lot of carving done. Now getting bit by band saws,,table saws,,drill bits,,routers etc..that's another story.