carving eyes gouges

[rickm]

hi, its me again. In looking at the various tutorials on eyes I see a large reliance on several gouges to accomplish the task. Bear in mind I usually carve smaller stuff. I have a set of old palm gouges, (probably 20 yrs old) that Im sure the bevels are off, particularly the v tool.
what gouges might someone recommend that would be indispensable for eye carving, probably the best best would be to start with a new set of palm gouges and then build from there.
Also, I dont have a ton of money so the list cant be too long.
I would appreciate any advice anyone might offer.

[Tom Ellis]

Rick, With a little patience, you should be able to learn to carve them with just a knife. Since a person carves so many different sizes of carvings, it takes quite a selection if you are going to use gouges.
Preferably a knife with a narrow tip, and keep it very sharp.

Tom

[kdispoto]

I'm with Tom on this one. I've had resonable success with a knife; however I may be trying the gouge method in the future. I saw first hand how some of the best caricture carvers do it but you may guess each does it differently with different size gouges and knives. You just have to experiment and see which one works for you. It's an ongoing process - you'll probably be doing it different a year from know.

There are videos and books on the subject.

[chipmunk]

Originally Posted by rickm

hi, its me again. In looking at the various tutorials on eyes I see a large reliance on several gouges to accomplish the task. Bear in mind I usually carve smaller stuff. I have a set of old palm gouges, (probably 20 yrs old) that Im sure the bevels are off, particularly the v tool.
what gouges might someone recommend that would be indispensable for eye carving, probably the best best would be to start with a new set of palm gouges and then build from there.
Also, I dont have a ton of money so the list cant be too long.
I would appreciate any advice anyone might offer.

i do'nt like to use a grinder on my tools but to get a new angle on your tools u have to .wrap a wet rag closes u can get to the tip and grind a 20% on them the finish with a stone to get very sharp then leather some times u just need to regrind your tools when u stone,stope them the edge gets rounded over and u need to make a straight edge sharp then the tool will be as good as new if u can't sharpen it get someone who can i think that will solve all your problems if the tools are old this may have happened

[Dagwood]

I use my eye gouges to make buttons only... i only use a knife for eyes.... there is several videos on you tube for making awesome eyes..... but to answer your question you can buy the gouges from several vendors look in the front of your woodcarving mag for 800 numbers for a ton of vendors which in most cases will send a free cat. hope this helps

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Like Tom and the others said, a sharp knife and or the Denny eye tool.

Dave

[Donsexton]

I like my eye tools for things other than eyes. Scales on Dilla's and turtle shells, snakes fast and easy. I know that trick don't look as good as carving them but if you got to put some inventory on the table could help.