I am thinking about attempting a wood carving project. Can somebody recommend a good quality set of carving tools at an entry level price? I think I will try relief carving with hand tools.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Give a call to Rick at 'Little Shavers' (206)767-7421 and explain what your going to do. He won't sell you something you don't need or worse yet something that won't work.

If there is a store fairly near you that sells wood carving tools, visit them. do not but the cheap stuff that Walmart, Hobby looby. Michaels sells.

[Colin_Partridge]

Flexcut make a good starter set for way under $200 probably cheaper in the US. Although my first starter set (after I tried the cheap ones, big mistake) was a set of Pheil tools I have come to appreciate the quality of Flexcut and how they hold an edge. If I had to start all over again I would probably try a set of Flexcuts good tool at a good price.
Colin

[Ric]

Its easy to get caught up in buying more tools than you need to start carving. I use about seven basic tools for relief carving. They are #3/12mm, #5/6mm, #7/16mm, #9/12mm, #11/3mm, #41/10mm V-tool, #56/16mm Fishtail. You will need a sharpening stone and a honing stone and a strop or a piece of leather, a tool roll to keep your tools in, and a mallet. There are severl good tool brands out there. I found that the Stubai tools hold well to carving hard woods and the beating of the mallet. Hope this helps.
Ric

Flexcut sells agood 11 piece set travel set for around $90
10 tools and 1 handle. Flexcut also has a set with fixed handles for under $200.
They are good quality and built to last a lifetime. Best value on the market today for all you get. Of course you will need a couple of knives. Flexcut makes good knives also. Denny and
Warren also make good inexpensive knives as well. I recomend the Flexcut 11 piece travel set as a great starter set. They are also easily carried with you when you go to shows or carving club meetings. Pfeil, Stubi, Ashley Isles, 2 Cherries,
some Swiss made tools. are also excellent quality, but are 2 to 3 times higher priced than Flexcut.

Hi .I'm a brand new woodcarver. I am thinking of buying a better set of tools, since I have a really cheap set.(the plastic handle broke);either a 'Haywards 'or a 'Henry Taylor 'set.Which is better?( the cost would be about the same so I'm wondering if it's better to go for the 'best'brand?

Not familiar with Haywards, but any of the following would be o.k.
Henry Taylor
Ramelson
Stubai
Pfiel
MIller's Falls (if you can find a set)
and probably a host of others.

The best advice I can give you is send off an email to
rick@littleshavers.com
explaining what you want to carve and ask his advice.

I like the Henry Taylor tools that I use (palm set). I would like to caution you.....if you are a new carver....some tools need to be sharpened before use. The first thing I recommend to a new carver is to learn the basics about sharpening tools. Actually, that may be a close second to SAFELY using a knife. Anyway, my Henry Taylor tools came and needed a little touch up before carving. Good luck.

Mitch

Thankyou Mitchell and Ed. I don't have one particular type of carving. I want to try everything! I love it.I am noticing that I am getting better at it .I've read so much ..never get enough of learning...thinking of taking a course on carving.( when I can get off working nights). You've been very helpful.I like this site aqready!