Ordering Tools question from a beginner.

[oagie]

Hi all, this is my first post here.

Obviously I am new to the craft, I have a project in mind and I could use some help in the initial tools I order.

The project is a simple Christmas ornament with a picture painted on the surface of the carving. The ornament will be a smooth surface and the picture on the surface will be two dimensional. So these outlines, will be a very fine carved line which I need to paint black.

I plan on ordering a knife set and sharping tools. I am not sure what tool is used to create a very fine line, if its with a knife or a gouge.

Your input will be appreciated.
Cheers.

[Mitchell]

It can be done with a knive or a V tool. The knife is easier to maintain (keep sharp) than the V tool from a beginner standpoint. You may be able to use a small veiner (#11)...say a 2 or 3 mm. It will not leave a fine line however but is a little easier to maintain than the V tool

Generally - the veiner is less expensive than the V tool.

[Mitchell]

Here's a link to a chart illustrating the sizes and sweep of gouges to help my post make more sense: Pfeil Tools Chart

[SlowMover]

Just a thought, If you make a fine line and paint it black...to me that suggests that it would look like you woodburned it. You might consider a burner for this project...personally I would carve the detail a little more on the ornament and make it (to my mind) fancier...of course, it is your ornament and the right way is how you want to do it. Also, you don't have to sharpen a burner.

[mdallensr]

Incising a line, as you suggest, is similar to Norwegian rosmaling. They use a marking knife, as made by Pfeil and others that you can find from Woodcraft. Mike

[Robson Valley]

oagie: Welcome to the W.I. Forum. I cut all kinds of long, sweeping grooves, some shallow, some deep, in my carvings.
1. What sort of wood have you selected?
2. I have the Pfeil Brienz knife = excellent.
3. For bigger work, I have a 1S/25e Pfeil skew chisel with a single bevel.= excellent.
4. Technique: cut the groove and clean out the very bottom-most splinters with a dental pick.
You may need to make several passes to get the depth and the flow done to your satisfaction.
I push my knives slowly with my thumb. Very strong/bright light. Paint the groove black with artists' acrylic paint (I use Liquitex and Stevenson). Paint it with matte/satin/gloss acrylic varnish 2X.
5. Now, finish preparing the surface for the decorative painting. The harder you try, the more black paint and varnish you will slop out of the groove. By cutting back into it, it's all cleaned up.
Promise: if you buy Pfeil tools, never sand anything before carving. Sanding is last. Hit a bit of sanding grit with a tool and you're done for the day.

[Robson Valley]

Sorry, forgot to answer your questions.
I believe in buying individual tools as I see a real need for them. I have a couple of tools which came in a set that I use once every 2 years (and I can do as well with other tools.) That's about $60 in the toilet.
Having said that, the smaller Pfeil sets are quite good, but I'd want to add the Brienz knife.

Common carving tool designations:
The first number in the tool description is the shape of the edge. The second number is the width in mm (25mm = 1 inch) F = fishtail, the shaft is narrower than the cutting part.
S = skew, the cutting edge is canted right or left, not square to the shaft.
So, you can figure out what my 7/35 and 9/18 gouges looks like.

[oagie]

Wow,

Thanks for the great responses all. I will look into each of your suggestions before purchase, but this is a great information.

Robson Valley, I noticed you are in McBride. I am in Smithers. So you may be able to help with my wood question. I was going to start will basswood and I may stick with that. Is there any place in Prince George that carries it. We lost our Windsor Plywood who had the only chance of bringing it in. So other then that I was thinking shipping it from Black Forest in Calgary.

Again thanks all.
Cheers.

[Robson Valley]

oagie: there's a big Windsor Plywood in Prince George. Lots of basswood blocks just inside the front door on the right as you go in. Most everything else (yellow cedar/mahogany, etc) to the left. They had bird's-eye maple off cuts for $0.50/lb a while back.
No western red cedar blocks, just some boards with lots of knots. I've got WRC clear that I selected up in the mtns, a couple of rainbow shells (half logs) and blocks 4" x 4" x 24" . Nominal charge and shipping by Greyhound. I'd offload some basswood blocks that I'll never use at cost+.
PM to bthair@telus.net

[Robson Valley]

oagie: almost forgot: Google Magard Log Home Building Tools. Maurice has been in the trade for 30+ years in Prince George, he has every tool that Pfeil ever made (boxes of the stuff) + tool sets. He's a night-owl: NEVER call him before 1PM.