Again a beginner with a tool question.

[paolo59]

Hello Schummie,

I'm happy to see that other guys from Europe are joining this forum.
Why not to try chip carving if your hands can handle a carving knife? This could be a good way to start wood carving and you don't need any bench or support for the piece you are working on.
Anyway your tool list is OK to start, maybe you can add a #3 and #5 gouge. Pfeil is OK. Moving forward you will understand by yourself what other tool you need.
I suggest you to use the free tutorials on this website:
National Wood Carving School: relief carving. Start with the flower project (#3). After you have learned the basics you can buy some of the books offered in this site or some of the pattern online.
And don't forget to try, try, try...............and also ask as many questions you have.
Ciao

[LJonsson]

Hello again Schummie,

Thank you for the compliment on my name, that was nice, it isn't a very common name. You asked about the #11, I use a 3mm for hair, ears, leaves, all kinds of things. It's one gouge that I couldn't do without! I'm glad that you discovered carving, you're gonna love it.

Loretta

[Schummie]

Dear carvers,

hereby some photos from the first carving tools I bought.
I hope that there many shell follow.
I want to thank everybody for there help.

Schummie

[squbrigg]

That is a great looking set up you have for carving. The bench looks nice and sturdy, and well designed for the task. Don't be afraid to get cuts and gouges marks in the surface, they will add character.

Get yourself some carving wood and get started using those gouges, they look like a great assortment to begin with. Best of luck.

Bob

[LJonsson]

Schummie,

WOW! That's my vision of heaven, new carving tools!! Strop often and enjoy yourself!!

Loretta

[Stryder7]

Hi Shummie, how are you doing? I too have problems with the morphine (and codeine) and the tools can get slippery sometimes. Make sure you get a good carving glove for your other hand so you don't have any accidents. I used to live in Haarlem but I don't know dutch anymore... I've been away almost 45yrs... Your english is very good... Enjoy your carving.
From another beginner
Marianne

[Claude]

Schummie:
Welcome to the forums. I was in the Netherlands last year for a conference in Noordwijck and then spent a few days in Amsterdam seeing the sights. Wonderful country!

I didn't see a strop in you photos. If you aren't familiar with a strop, it is basically a stick or board with a thin piece of leather glued to it, and some honing compound rubbed into it. The tool is pulled across this to put a mirror finish on the sides, or bevels, which helps the tool glide through the wood with much less effort. There are several messages posted here that you can look through for photos and descriptions. Woodcarving Tools, Technology & Sharpening - Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board

With a strop, you make a few passes with the tool every 15 minutes or so, and your tools stay very sharp - you rarely have to use a stone on them. My knives, for example, only get sharpened on a stone if I get a nick in the edge - the rest of the time, the strop is enough to keep them sharp.

If you need more specific info, please ask.

Claude