Which tools?

Mail Walker · #1 01-08-2006, 02:23 PM

Howdy, new guy here. I want to carve santa figures and other caricatures. I have a roughing and detail knives {flexcut}. I can afford 4 or 5 palm tools to get me started. What sweeps and sizes should I get Till I can expand my set? I was also trying to decide between Pfiel, stubai, flexcut? Thanks for any recommendations. Tooooooooo many choices for me to decide. Ive stared at this computer for 2 days. THANKS,Mike

Marci MN · #2 01-08-2006, 03:14 PM

Hello and Welcome MailWalker! I cannot answer your question since I'm wondering the same thing for myself. Its quite confusing out there in the big world of carving supplies... LOL I did order a beginners kit from Rick at Lil Shavers and there were a set of six palm tools that came with a carving knife. I just learned one of them last night. But I'm so new I dont even know what its called. *grin*

GeorgiaCarver · #3 01-08-2006, 04:09 PM

I am sure there are as many opinions as people on this fourm..... Can't go wrong wth Rick though.

I use a Pfiel set of hand tools. I have many but I use the following 5 the most:

Flat chisel 1/8
Skew chisel 1S/8
Vernier 12/4
Gouge 5/20
U-gouge 11/3

If you find a site that has a Pfiel chart on it you can compare the chart with what I have given. It could be that you will want a different V or U gouge.

Only my thoughs and I strongly recommend you wait and see what others say.

Greg

Chahlie · #4 01-08-2006, 04:12 PM

Hi All,

The best recomendation I can make is contact Rick at Little Shavers....he has a beginners kit that gives you a reasonable assortment of beginner knives and such. My wife bought this kit for me for x-mas '04 and I have been very happy with it. And Rick is a wealth of information by himself and his web site is awesome!!!

www.littleshavers.com

I think either or both of you will enjoy the site.

Mail Walker · #5 01-08-2006, 04:13 PM

Thanks Greg. I appreciate your thoughts on the matter.

Mitchell · #6 01-08-2006, 04:17 PM

It depends on the size of carvings that you do (in regards to the size of your tools).

My favorite is Pfiel palm. I would suggest a small (1/8") # 11, and a medium (1/4") # 9 as being useful size and sweeps (of course, Pfiel is in meteric, but you get the idea). I also like a #7 (about 1/2") for roughing out.

I believe that these sizes used to come as a set with even smaller veiner (#11) and v-tool that were useful. I think there was also a smaller #5 and another #7, but I'm not sure.

As for the makes, I listed Pfiel because that's what I use the most. I have a flexcut set that works ok, and have not used the Stubai that often. The Stubai seem to be a little harder to adjust for me (I like to reduce the bevel). Really, any should work fine.

rick-in-seattle · #7 01-08-2006, 08:00 PM

Mike,
There are some who like Flexcut, others Pfiel, some Stubai, or even other brands.

I have tried to live my life by a wise statement I heard as a child.
A Scarecrow once said; "People do go both ways".

Even as a toddler, I took that to mean that people can't decide for you; and that you should not always take the well traveled road.
(or maybe I just made that up)

The brands you mention are all good and I own and use all three.
They each have their qualities and shortcomings. If you seek advice on sweeps, lengths, bends, and handles, that can be just as complex.

Opinions are like dull knives, everybody has one; so read the suggestions and once you have made a decision, you can see if the folks here agree with it.

Mitchell · #8 01-09-2006, 08:20 AM

I also forgot to add that this is a common question on the board, and you may want to do a few searches - "recommended tools", or even on each of the brand names.

Also, this site automatically links "Similar threads" if the titles are clear. The similar threads are listed at the bottom of this page.....

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #9 01-09-2006, 09:18 AM

I have Stubai and they are great tools, however I have some Ashley Iles that I really like, maybe even a little better!

wade clark · #10 01-12-2006, 12:59 PM

I'm totally Ashley Iles tools, to an obsessive level, plus some wonderful knives from Rick. I've never held a Stubai or Pfeil, but I've heard they're both high quality, as I know from experience the Ashley Iles are. GO WITH QUALITY! Get the best you can, even if that means one or two at a time. If you don't buy good tools, you'll either replace cheap ones later with good, or worse, quit carving.
I also have several Flexcuts including their folding multi-knife-tool. I like them, but I prefer my Ashley Iles. The Flexcuts are very travel friendly and I take them with me if I'm leaving home for a few days and hope to get to carve, rather than taking my Ashley Iles, rolling them into a roll and worrying about messing them up. I like to keep them in some form of organization in my carving area.
Good luck! H A P P Y shopping! Getting the tools is almost as fun as carving!
Wade