Veiner vs gouge

[rmessick]

I was trying to follow along with a book on carving caricature faces. Anyway they refer to using a veiner to carve the inside of the eye. However when I look at the picture it looks more like a gouge or a larger veiner than I have. I know his has been discussed but I still can not figure this out is a veiner only one size or are their larger venires.

[carver33]

First, I'm not sure what book you're reading or what process is being described, so, first I'm going to clarify what a veiner is: A veiner is a "U" shaped gouge, typically termed a number 11 gouge, and comes in all sizes from very small (1mm?) to larger than 25mm (1").

A "V" tool (sometimes referred to as a parting tool) is often mistakenly called a veiner, and also comes in a wide variety of sizes.

Hope this helps.

[rmessick]

The book is caricature carving by Dave Stetson. In the part where you practice making the face he identifies a small veiner is to be used to start working on the eye mound. I have an 11 veiner or gouge I just did not know what small meant.

Thanks for the help

[groozier]

From the look of the tool in the book it seems close to a 5 or 6 mm #9-11 gouge or veiner. Keep in mind that this is all depending on the size of your carving.

Keep the chips flying.
Lance Brooks aka groozier

[Steve Reed]

It is a small U gouge, or veiner as pointed out above. Dave uses this to set the inside corners of the eye. Have fun with it!

[rmessick]

Thanks. The veiner that I have is about 1/16 or smaller. I will look to find one in the 1/4 inch range.

[Steve Reed]

The 1/16th should work. The smaller the veiner, the smaller the corners of the eye will be. Dave told me once, in a class, to use the smallest one you have.
You might also check out Gary MacDaniels videos (Three Crosses Woodcarving) on youtube. He has an excellent "eye" video.