Tool set recommendation - Relief

[BadlyHoned]

My interest is in decorative relief carving on panels and boxes, mouldings, and I want to buy a starter set of tools. I've found many sets online with various components, none of them corresponding well to the recommendation from the book I'm reading "Woodcarving - The Beginner's Guide" by William Wheeler & Charles Hayward.

Here are some examples of what I've seen:
Buy PFEIL® "Swiss Made" Full Size Starter Set, PFEIL® ?Swiss Made? Full Size
Hirsch Carving Sets - Lee Valley Tools
Traditional Woodworker - Set of 6 Carving Tools "Acorn" with Leather Roll by Henry Taylor
H2930 12 pc. Carving Chisel Set

What would you start with?

I'm sure this has been discussed a thousand times but for whatever reason I'm having no success searching the forum - keep getting error message indicating I must search with 4 keywords - which I am doing! What is my problem searching???

[BobD]

Welcome!

I'll ask our IT guy to check out the search string problem.

If nothing else...now that you've started the thread, you can see the similar thread links below.

I seldom use all of the tools in a set. In many case, you're better off buying individual tools as you need them.

As far as brand names of tools, I've got Ashley Illes, Pfiel, and Hirsch, and like them all. Ashley Illes is thicker than Pfiel, and I like the weight in my hands when carving. But Pfiel are a little more delicate, and I feel like I have more finess with them. Hirsch are the newest tools I've received, and they kinda combine the solid feel of the AI and the delicate feel of the Pfiel.

Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[Thor]

Hi there, Badly honed,
Try looking at the tools at:
www.kmstools.com
Their site is a little hard to get into the carving tools, but if you follow, woodworking tools, then carving tools, and click on the 12 piece set at the bottom of the page, I think you'll want to put that on your "consider this" list.

I bought that set about 6 years ago in order to carve relief carvings.....saved about 30% over the Woodcraft price at the time, and am very pleased with them to this day. I have, of course, added many more tools, but that's just what happens.

I know you'll get other valid responses. Everyone has preferences. Buying any brand of really good tools is going to start you off well.

Good luck
Christina

Pfeil 12 Pc Carving Chisel Set $261.41

[Ron Davidson]

Bob and Thor are right about buying good quality tools stay away from harbor freight tools and the like they are in my opinion good for opening paint cans only. Start with the basic tools needed for the project you are starting and add to the pile as you will always be in search for the perfect tools. I am still adding and I have more tools than I need but still looking for that perfect set. Good hunting!
Ron

[rales]

To echo Christina - you can save a bundle on Pfiels by getting them from Canada...here's my favorite place: http://www.woodcarvingbiz.com I think you have the right idea in looking for what the authors recommend for a basic set rather than what the manufacturers put out there. Here's Chris Pye's recomendation: Chris Pye - Woodcarving Toolshop

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

All good advise above, you might also want to call the owner of Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply , honest people, good advise.

Dave

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I have some excellent tools...Stubai and Ashley Iles..I really prefer the Ashley Iles...but I bought full size and I don't do very large carvings...so I wish now I had gone with the smaller european size...just my opinion.

[rales]

I agree with Hi Ho - with the european, intermediate or mid-sized tools your hands are pretty much together on the tool rather than spread apart - giving you a lot of comfort and control - mallet work is easier also. Pfeil has been adding new profiles to their intermediate line recently and now have about 50 tools.

[Nem]

I will agree with looking at medium sized tools depending on how large you envision your carvings to be.

My First carving was on a basswood block of 4" x 5", I found the medium tools good for this size, I have small hands and the larger tools feel big and clumsy in them.

The other great thing about Med sized tools are they are cheeper =D

[mdallensr]

Pfiel full-size tools are not all the same size ( and this applies to most of the other manufacturers). Pfiel sized them for their intended use. They are built to withstand regular mallet use, but some are smaller than others. Several years ago, I got a good piece of advice from Chris Pye in one of his books: use the largest tool (meaning sweep, not necessarily length) that will do the job. If you adopt his tool grips, high angle and low angle, full size tools will feel correct and, eventually, natural. As you can see in the photo, the detail work you would do with a smaller sweep will be done with a smaller tool, which will put you closer to the work. Mike