Thanks for all of your help! I have been doing some research on some starting tools...

what do you guys (and ladies) think about these?

http://www.texaswoodcarvers.com/Page...ers%20Page.htm

i want to make sure that i start out with a safety glove, and i plan to start carving in the round. Are those 6-tool sets and the bench knife something you experienced carvers would recommend for someone new to the game?

Thanks

Dan

Oh and Memorial Day!!

[AlArchie]

Dan, I hate to recomend 'starters' or 'beginners' sets, but it looks like those are an exceptionally good choice to start with. Â*(and the price doesn't seem unreasonable either) The six piece set shown is very similar to the one I purchased over 25 years ago and it as served me well ever since. Bear in mind that it will need a final honing (stropping) to bring it up to 'carving speed'!

Same with the bench knife. Â*I have the same one and it is a good knife......ONLY I don't use it that much because of the handle size. Â*It worked until I found a bench knife with a handle that better suited my size 14 paw!

As your experience grows, so will your collection of tools.

Pick yourself up a decent sharpening stone, too. Â*There are many out there. Â*I happen to like the 3/4x3' diamond steel stone available at WallMart, K-Mart, and Cabellas, in the hunting and fishing depts. Â*A silicone carbide pocket stone is another good choice, but you will probably want a bench stone, to go along with that, especially when you work up to larger chisle and gouges. They also come in hard and soft Arkansas, Japanese waterstones, diamond matrix, silicone carbide, and a host of others. Â*Everyone has their own favorites, and I really doubt if there is a 'best' among them.

Al

Dan,
Those set are ok and I repeat Ok but it has been my experience that you only get what you pay for in this world. If I could advise you I would pay the few extra bucks and get yourself a set of Pheil palm gouges or Flexcut gouges both come pre-sharpened with a razor edge. It is ok for an experienced carver to buy a tool that needs final honing but for a new comer it is imparitive as far as I am concerned to start with a sharp edge. This way you will know the standard of sharpness to start with. I have mentioned on numerous occasions how I started with a cheap and dull set of tools and had no fun at all until I got myself a good starter set that were sharp. As far as a knife again I speak from experience it is much better to go to a store or a show where they sell them and get one that feels right for you the ones I have ordered on line sit at the bottom of my tool box it is the one's that I was able to try before I purchased them that I use all the time.
Hope this has helped good luck and welcome aboard it is always nice to have a new carver join us look forward to seeing a finished product.
Colin

[quote author=AlArchie link=board=Beginner;num=1086009951;start=0#2 date=05/31/04 at 09:07:36]
Pick yourself up a decent sharpening stone, too. Â*There are many out there. Â*I happen to like the 3/4x3' diamond steel stone available at WallMart, K-Mart, and Cabellas, in the hunting and fishing depts. Â*A silicone carbide pocket stone is another good choice, but you will probably want a bench stone, to go along with that, especially when you work up to larger chisle and gouges. They also come in hard and soft Arkansas, Japanese waterstones, diamond matrix, silicone carbide, and a host of others. Â*Everyone has their own favorites, and I really doubt if there is a 'best' among them.

Al[/quote]


MY problem, is that i have no experience with sharpening or stropping(?) Anyone know of any online sites with help on that? I don't want to purchase any tools until i know how to keep them up to par.

Know of any helpful sites?

[Kenny_S]

I would contact Rick at Littleshavers on both accounts. He can advise on what you need to start off with and sharpen the tools also. However, The starter set you mention is a good site. I do believe one should buy the best he can afford but that does not mean that the expensive tools are the best.
Both Al and Colin gave excellent advice. Check Rick out first, he just may have the tools in the price range you can afford plus he will sharpen them.

Best to you and happy Carving.

[Randy48]

Dan this site is an excellent place to get you started in carving and sharpening. There are many free tutorials and step-by-step carving projects, and also sharpening guides.

I would agree with Colin about buying a better set of carving tools. I can recommend Flexcut from personal experience, very good quality tools, come as sharp as can be and they hold they're cutting edge for a long time.

I have flexcut, pfiel, stubai, etc. etc. tools as well as the Ramelson's shown at the site you referenced. The Ramelson's are every bit the equal of the others and in some cases better. They are an excellent buy. Somebody recommended you contact rick@littleshavers.com. Probably the best advice you'll receive.

I also have a few Ramelson gouges and they are high quality American made tools. The bench knife shown is the same one I have used for whittling and carving for over a decade.

As for sharpening tools and techniques, there are almost as many ways to get a sharp tool as there are tools to get it. I have a sharpening page on my site that covers my preferred technique.

Hi, I'm a rank amateur when it comes to knives and chisels. I have been looking at a set of Palm Chisels by Cape forge,
http://www.capeforge.com/. They seem good to me, and they also have a tutorial on sharpening on their site. Very easy to understand.Father and Daughter team, working together making knives and chisels. Their information seems legitimate. An old friend used to say, I know its good cause I like it. . Have a look and tell me what you think. :