Question on Quality

[livens]

Hello again,

After asking a question here about how to carve a small pit, I learned what tools I would need to do it. So now I am looking to find something that I can afford.

So are Ramelson gouges decent? Price is good, and they are made in USA. Plus they have the sizes I need in bent gouges. I would prefer a Pfiel but couldnt find a #5 x 1/2" or 3/4" long bent gouge.

Thanks,

Jeremy

[Iowa Carver]

Ramelsons are good steel. They have had quality control issues of recent. To bad. Many folks won't carry them any more. If it were me I would order them from Rick Ferry at Little Shavers. He will make sure they are in good shape and sharp as heck when you get them.

Corey

[BrandantR]

I agree with Corey. Ramelsons are good gouges. I use them almost exclusively, and I did get them razor sharp from Little Shavers.

[livens]

Thanks guys,

I have ordered one, a #7 x 3/8" bent gouge, from texaswoodcarvers.com. Now I feel better about it

Its funny, on Ramelson's website they only have a limited selection of there own gouges, but at texaswoodcarvers they have almost every size you would need. I wonder if they have just stopped making them in those sizes and texaswoodcarvers has old stock?

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Originally Posted by Iowa Carver

Ramelsons are good steel. They have had quality control issues of recent. To bad. Many folks won't carry them any more. If it were me I would order them from Rick Ferry at Little Shavers. He will make sure they are in good shape and sharp as heck when you get them.

Corey

Can't go wrong with Little Shavers !

Dave

[Iowa Carver]

They have scaled back their catalog slightly I think but I found the same gouge you got on their website. They basically have #3,5,7,9 in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4 and then a large selection of V-tools and Veiners. You can select bent, straight etc, and handle type. Texas Woodshop and the Woodcraft Shop sell the most complete line of Ramelsons. They do not come ready to carve so you will need to have them properly sharpened, especially v-tools and veiners. #3-9 gouges I have just buffed to a very nice edge.

Corey

[TreeWizard]

I bought 2 tools a small gouge and a V tool. The first time I used the gouge the shaft snapped off about 1/2 way between the cutting edge and the handle. I haven't tried any more of their tools and probably won't.

[livens]

Originally Posted by TreeWizard

I bought 2 tools a small gouge and a V tool. The first time I used the gouge the shaft snapped off about 1/2 way between the cutting edge and the handle. I haven't tried any more of their tools and probably won't.

Oh my! Was it one of the micro tools? I can see those being easily broken, but not a normal size one. Anyway I hope they gave you your money back.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

You can get a bad tool from any of the manufacturers. Not often, but it does happen. I've had various issues with most manufacturer's out there at one time or another. Particularly with the smaller tools. If you buy enough tools, sooner or later you'll get a bad one. The real question is how does the manufacturer back their product. So far everybody that I have dealt with has been very good about replacing a bad or questionable tool. The only one I have not had a problem with so far is Denny, but I'd imagine that's just a matter of time and buying more tools.

[TreeWizard]

It was a small micro tool, and I didn't try to replace it since I bought it at a carving show and I wouldn't know where to return it.

I ground down the shaft and polished the tip and I now use it for making indentations for a couple of ukibori pieces I've done.