what type of chisels and gouges to use?

[TerrrapinQ]

I'm just starting out as well, and am younger, so do not have the proper funds to invest in the highest quality of tools. I have found that the flexcut interchangeable tools provide excellent form and function. They come with wonderfully stroped blades directly out of the packaging, and are 10-15 bucks each, so the investment is low. The handle I prefer for most work is their wooden one, as it is a bit longer than their plastic one. I have both, but I prefer the wooden handle for v-cuts and gouge work. Check 'em out, you will find they provide all a novice relief carver (like me) could expect from a tool. As well, they offer an excellent stroping kit that really works well, and has an assortment of profiles for removing any burrs on the tools non cutting edge. Hope this helped!

[Michael Keller]

Hi Hoovie.

Lettering like everything else is varied and depending upon what you are doing, certain tools are better than others. If you are talking about small lettering with a standard V cut, I suggest a Finesse Knife from Savage Forge. It is made for incise work and works like a dream. Other knife options are a hooked knife like Cape Forges hook or even a standard short, straight blade carving knife. For larger letters a fishtail shape No 3. is about perfect. The width will depend upon the size of your letters. My favorite brand is Pfeil. With a fishtail you have much greater versatility and can easily use the outer wings as a knife. As I write this, I don't have contact information for Savage Forge but I do have it on my blog site (front page) at White Eagle Studios . I also have a few articles that address lettering. Good luck with it all.

[hoovie26]

@Michael: Thanks for the info - I just looked at your blog briefly, and that's some wonderful work you have done there. I'll delve deeper, and see if I can find your articles about lettering. Thanks!

[Doc Parker]

Yup! I think they spelled Pfeil right. Pine spoon?? Hang it on the wall so you can remember where ya came from in the future. Also when finishing spoons( if you continue to make them), use white mineral oil if you're heading toward food!! As for lettering, well raised?? Or inscised? The thought of a chip carving knife was right for a very nice monogram on a spoon. You might want to check out a chip carving book first though. As for choices of gouges, it depends on what you might want to carve in the future. Hollow ware( bowls, spoons, etc) you might want a bent gouge or two that would fit the size you plan to carve. Any other carving, a good large, a medium and a smaller gouge of a shallow( no 3), the same for a medium sweep like no 7, a vee tool, and a good skew, and a firmer( flat ended chisel for outlining and making stop cuts. See if you can "Stretch them into different situations and you'll learn more quickly too. Then as you grow, you'll know where you might want to add a chisel or two. Doc

[hoovie26]

Well, for lettering, I was thinking of raised. One thing I was curious about is how good is a standard wood chisel for doing stop cuts? I understand they can be acceptable for removing wood from large areas, but are they ok for detail work, or is the design of them simply to 'crude' for most carving?