Newbie seeking some input

[ALLANON]

Hi all I've been a lurker for about 1 1/2 years and decided to take the plunge. I am almost positive I am going to buy Pfiel tools. However I thought it would be prudent to seek your input on them or any other tools. On flexcut I would like to note that I have decided to buy mallet tools and since they are primarily a palm tool I am not needing much input on them, altough when I go to buy palm tools they will be what I most likely will buy. On the mallet I found what is in my oppinion a good deal on a lignum mallet in the U.S. so here is the link [HTML]http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/product.asp?0=333&1=356&3=2399[/HTML]. I am planing on buying a couple of Chris Pye books as I like the style of his relief book. So to that I am going to buy his suggested 11 tools as they look like a reasonable starting point. So thanks in advance Cheers

[squbrigg]

Hi Allanon,

Welcome aboard the wonderful world of wood carving. You'll never regret it. It's peaceful, relaxing, satisfying, and great therapy! It sounds like you have done your homework carefully, and have identified some great tools to start with. Stay with quality tools, you'll never regret it.

I would suggest you look at sharpening gear too. The first thing you will need to master is good sharpening, cause a dull tool will turn you off carving faster than anything. Start with a set of slip stones to begin with and a flexcut hone set.

Chris Pye's books are an excellent choice and he offers great advice.

Good for you, get your tools, some wood and start making chips! Mostly, relax and enjoy yourself. There are lots of great folks here who can help you along the way once you begin, and don't be shy of asking, that is how your learn.

Happy carving!

Bob

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

Being as how you are going to be buying mallet tools, here's what I would do if I had it to do over again. I'd buy one or two of each brand and see which I liked the best (not necessarily all at once). Each brand of tool has it's own feel unrelated to the handle. It's just the way they are built. Some vibrate more than others, some feel wobbly and wimpy when making large cuts, and each person feels them differently. When you buy Pfeil tools buy them from a Canadian supplier, KMS Tools comes to mind, you will save a bundle over Woodcrafts prices. I'm almost afraid to mention this, but don't overlook used tools on ebay. If you know what you are looking for and are patient, you can get some really good tools for real savings. The old Addis tools are exceptional and can be had for as little as $5, IF you are patient. Patience is the key, they usually go for somewhere around $20. Some of them aren't pretty by today's standards, but pretty don't feed the bull dog.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Flexcut also makes mallet chisels....there are lots of good brands, I have some Stubai that are really good, I have an auriou that is good..there are so many, too many to list here....like was said, you need to get the ones you like the feel of best....or at least buy a very good brand and you can always modify the handles a bit if thats a problem.

[Old_Gord]

Allanon, if you plan on buying Chris Pye books , then buy his two volume set of Woodcarving, Tools, Materials & Equipment "first" , they are what I would call the Woodcarvers Bible, and I strongly believe any newbie carver starting out will benefit from the information contained in these two volumes(there is a older version in one book might be cheaper)I think all your questions about tools will be answered by these books.
As far as tool manufacture..well I'm in favour of Henry Taylor, but your choice of
Pfiel tools is also a good choice, there are other makes that are equally as good.
One thing I would suggest is that you buy from a dealer that has a "full" range of whatever make you decide on..unless you don't mind chasing around the country side to find that one tool you "need".
As far as which tool size and shape to buy I say stick with Chris Pye's suggested list if you are going to follow his woodcarving project instructions.
As far as the rest of Chris Pye's books you can't go wrong with any of them, although I personally was disapointed in the Carving on Turning book, all the rest of them I can recommend as good reading with lots of carving info.
Welcome to the wonderful world of carving.
Oh and do decide on how you are going to sharpen your tools as early as possible, it will be one of the most important and difficult parts of learning to carve becuase it will practice practice practice till you can do a good job on them...unless you plan on paying someone else to do it for you. Talking
OG

[big_Wayne_P]

Pfeil makes good tools
so do a several other companies
so it is pretty much an individual choice as to preference

I have 3 mallets that I made. have never used 2 of them and the other only 2 times. Just made them to see if i could. Just found a piece of a tree limb
left it big on 1 end and whittled it down to a handle on the other.

To me paying $39 for a piece of wood that i am going to use to beat on something with is not practical
here are my home made mallets
and home made strops I saw a 4 sided strop and decided to make my own
the other 2 are just reg strops that i made

[Kenny_S]

Wayne,Nothing wrong with those Mallet. As long as they do the job. Bet our fore fathers made their own also. The strops are great also. I have one bought strop and that is a flexcut one and the others are home made. Different polishes for each to see which ones id the "best". As for mallet tools, I have Buck Bros and Henry Taylor, but find my plam ones do about everything I need for them to do. Every one is correct in there are many great name brand out there.

Old Ed has the right Idea in buying a couple of each to see which one will work the "best and which one a person will like. Personally, I have found several name brands works for me. Not exclusive to a single name brand.

Try Rick at www.littleshavers.com and he sharpens and strops them for you and they are ready to use when you get them. Anyway, my 2 Abe Lincoln's worth.

Ya'll have a safe and wonderful New Years.

[big_Wayne_P]

I have that 1 from Flexcut also
Excellent for stropping those gouges
I also have a strop I Bought last year when i was starting out
No leater at the time to make my own

Went in The Leather Craft store 1 day and they had these big bins full of scrap pieces of leather
Selling by the pound really cheap
So I bought a few pounds

Tandy will also probably have bins of scrap leather that they sell really cheap

Well they do not call it scrap
it is remnants from where they cut pieces of the bigger piece

[Kenny_S]

Hobby Lobby has the leather in bunches also. I have a friend who works leather and I get some nice scrapes from him. I made several round strps from dowell rods with leather glued to them. ALA ed about it on the olde board. The thinner pieces of leather works best for me and I believe ALA said he wrapped leather string around his dowel rod. I believe he also posted where he took a piece of wood and cut u sahape and V shapes in it and stropped his tools that way. Of course I think he used some kind of polish with it. I have used the jewelers rouge(RED), the Flexcut yellow, the Gold and the white. I try different ones on different strops to se which is the "best". I find I like them all.

Best to you and Happy New Year!

[rick-in-seattle]

I have to say that the level of advice on this board is incredible.
I may be able to retire from posting and concentrate on my business.
(like I should)

I really am impressed with the sound advice beginners are receiving here.
Keep it up.
Rick