[K. Ellenburg]

Hello everyone, I have a really, really crazy question. I just received a few of the tools I had on order, one of which is a 8mm palm handle bent V part ( which I take is a gouge correct me if I am wrong which is I think called a v-tool), it is the wildest looking thing I have ever seen and I have absolutely no clue as to how to use it or how it cuts or how to hold it. Can someone please give me a clue lol. The other tools I have are as follows a 6mm palm gouge, 12mm palm gouge and a swiss made roughing knife and can anyone tell me what would be more tools that I should start out with. Most of the things I want to carve is character carvings . I also have a few older tools that I have had Laying around for years ( which I think will be good to learn how to sharpen on) the name of them is Walnut Hollow, does anyone know where they may have come from they have no other markings on them.
Thanks Kevin

[vic n]

Kevin, Go to the Wood Carving Tutorial section of this forum and read the instructions. Most tell the size and type of tools being used. That will give you an idea of what more to buy. You'll also find some projects that you might like to try. One of my first was the flat-plane santa by Gene Messer. Fun and easy.
Good Luck! Vic

As far as a bent part tool, you'll have to wait for a more experienced carver than me!

[Thomp]

kevin,

dont wait till you have a project underway to get the practice with your new tools,
grab up a clean knot free chunk of wood and try a few cuts with the grain cross grain, against the grain andsee how the tools preform,

this is the biggest problem with buying a armload of new tools all at once,

without experiance with each tool you might never understand when or what situation requires which tool...

walnut hollow toolsare still sold today, but in the last 10 years the quality has suffered greatly as they are now made offshore, they got a website http://www.walnuthollow.com/
but it appears they went into hobbie crafts..

[vic n]

Thomas is right, Kevin. I forgot to put in my response that the Walnut Hollow tools are sold at Michaels and similar. Vic

[K. Ellenburg]

Thanks for the info guys. I did just like you suggested Thomp and gave them a try on a basswood block and was amazed at how the chips curled up,This is going to be a great hobby I can tell already.
My other tools are Phiel tools