Tool advice for a new craver needed

[pine tree]

Hi All,

Need some advice on which carving tools to buy. I like and use only quality tools, so cost will be a consideration, but not the deciding factor. I will soon be working [carving] in a senior apartment, therefore power tools if noisy are out.

I have seen carvers use a "Study Stick" and that looks like a great way to get started. I would also like to know what I will need for safety from cuts and other hazards. I have worked in stained glass for many years and never been cut, so I think I know how to work safe. Never- the- less I want to get started right in carving.

All help will be welcome.

Pine Tree

[Mitchell]

There are LOTS of previous threads on tool recommendations for beginners.

First you need to give more info on what you want to carve.

Your most popular advise will be to get the beginners kit from Little Shavers or Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers.....which will come up often if you go through the old threads.

Carve SAFE - wear a glove.

[pine tree]

Thanks,

I would like to go back and carve some relief faces on some of my pine log furiture. Simple little things for the grandkids to find hiden away on legs or under a table.

Pine Tree

[Claude]

I agree with Mitchell. Here's the link to Rick: Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply His Beginner's Kit should have everything you need to get started. The tools arrive carving-sharp, and he includes a strop to keep them that way. If the furniture you are going to carve is a bit hard for a hand held knife, you can get a small wooden mallet and actually use the mallet on the palm tools. You shouldn't whack them hard to get rid of large waste wood chips, but a few taps to accurately cut with control won't hurt them. Later, if you decide to increase your tool capacity, you might consider some of the Pfeil gouges - usual advice is to not buy sets, but pick selected gouges that you need. Here's an article that might help you in that regard: Tools I Can?t*Live*Without Fiebig and Yundt Woodcarving

Claude

[Inadv]

Welcome aboard. I'll have to ditto Mitchell and Claude. This topic has gotten a ton of mileage in just the past week. Try doing a few searches and you'll find more opinions than you could possibly imagine. The glove they are referring to is a special one made just for wood carving. An ordinary leather work glove is hardly any protection at all against a properly sharpened wood carving knife! Be safe!

L.P.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

The above beginners kit is excellent, you can't go wrong. I use and love these tools, Drake Knives.com. Best of luck to you!

Dave