[Thomp]

Thinking of this as my next purchase,
Come on folks help me out, talk me out of it.
pros<> cons...etc.
at $179.00 could i do better with something else and get quality...
flexcut site says im saving %115.00 over buying them individually, one in the set will be a dupe i have the 9/16-14mm #9 gouge

SK108 20-Piece Carving Set site link

[Eddy Smiles]

Thomp... I bought the 11 piece Flexcut set when I first started out and have gradually built up my collection as I ran into something that required a tool that I didn't have. Since the individual blades run anywhere from $11.95 to $16.95 it's hard to tell exactly what you'd be saving but if you don't consider the tool that you already have and the knife, strop, Flecut Gold and case that comes with it and then divide the remaining 15 tools into the $179.00, $12.00 a tool for that size collection isn't bad. Especially since you'll only pay one S&H and if you were to buy the same tools on a buy as need basis you'd be paying that S&H all over again many times over. But then if you fork out $179 I'll bet you dicker who ever you order it from to throw in the S&H for free! I like my Flexcut set but if I was a rich man I'd order a set of Japanese carving tools from Japan Woodworker... ah yes! Perhaps in my next life!

[Kenny_S]

I have several individual sets and individual tools plus several Flexcut knives. I like them. Eddy broke it down good and I doubt you can get quality tools for that price and as many. That ain't bad, $12 a tool
Go for it.
However, I am betting there are those who do not like Flexcuts and will offer their opinions.
I have turned over most of my Flexcuts to the little bride as they are easlier on her hands. Been using Denny tools lately.

[Thomp]

Well its a mixed bag,

the tools in the kit are good to have, i wouldnt have mentioned it if they allowed substations, i have many tools at the present and one skew is enough for anybody but i got 3 different sizes,
i have 4 rambelson 3 v, & 1 U gouge all under 1/8th" a set of 4mm 2mm u gouges v tool 1/4th and a 1/2" flat walnut hollow
dockyard set of gouges micro 1-5mm
many flat micro tools made of dental probes
along with 5 or so cheep harbor freight sets probably 40 handled chisels and more than 20 different knives, i built for the poor beginners i have the pleasure to teach... occasionally,

but in the whole pile theres not a handful of professionally built tools, and due to tax return season upcoming.. im putting in my clam to something new for me...

the big set got me looking because of the free shipping, but it might be wiser to hang on and get a smaller set and pay the shipping, heck i can always find $100.00 worth of something i think i need.

still on the fence here on this decision...

[Just Carving]

Hi Thomp

I have a half a dozen or so of the Flexcut RG tools. There's more variety in the SK tools ,and the prices are right. The only thing I can disagree on is buying the set. I preferred picking the ones I wanted since I already had some tools--Rick's, Ramelson, home-made, etc.--that would have been duplicated by the Flexcuts. Otherwise, go for it. I like the Flexcut tools.

[Lynn O. Doughty]

Bob's got the right answer. I've got several sets of carving tools in my shop, a couple of them being Flexcut. Of the 30 or so different chisels I probably use maybe 5 of them. The others just gather dust. Oh, I've picked them out of the box a couple of times only to put them back and reach for one of the five. Take Bob's advise and buy the ones you use most and save the money you save for more wood.

As for Flexcut I really like them as they were free!! Won them as a door prize in Dayton several years ago.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Door prize? geez, I never even won a door! Somebody said once, don't let it hit you in the but thats a different story

[Nancy_G]

I used to buy SETS of tools and probably 85% of the tools never were used at all. At whatever price I paid, the tools I did use were very expensive.

[Thomp]

HAPPY EASTER BUNNY !

Thanks for all the replys and suggestions of wisdom, from some of the most respected folks on the board.
im thinking along the same lines as most of your views now, as it seams to be the consciences that there is just to many pre selected un-usefull tools to the set. and choosing only the ones i would be most likely to use, would be the wiser choice..

a new day a new view...
maybe i was looking for the magic bullet. all in one box that has had me mesmerized ..., maybe it was the pretty box...with the flexcut brand on it.

but as you say i got enough useless clutter, only 6 of the tools in the set are under 1/2 inch i got the 9/16#9 and a skew is a skew i got 3 different sizes of them, several of the tools offered scare me as to how to sharpen them, that back bent one in particular and the u gouges, while the flat chisels are unneccary for me, and the bigger tools wont be used any time soon. i was thinking the bigger tools might be something i would move into when i growed up and started carving bigger items, but ill probably stay with my 5-9" standard heigth...

oh well onto another project, but this extra spending money is making a hot spot in my pocket..

[Colin_Partridge]

JMHO I have probably 50 or so of those blades. I use mine in my reciprocating carver and I will say that certainly there are some I use more than others but I do use every single one of mine. I think that is a tremendous deal if your were to buy those tools individually in Canada it would cost you over $300.00. The only problem I have with my flex cuts is that I find if you hit end grain with the V tools that they can break. Having said that I return them to Flexcut and they always replace them no questions asked. Hope this has helped but if it was me I would buy that set right away it is a great deal.
Colin