[GWhite]

Hi all. I have a basic set of UJRamelson gouges that I use for carving in the round. They are fairly straight shafted though and I've been reading that the gouges used for relief carving need to be bent more.

If this is true, can anyone recommend a good (economical) set of gouges that I should look to purchase for relief carving?

Thanks

GWhite

[BasketballJones]

I just bought a basic set of long bent Ramelson's from Rick at Lil Shavers's for that same purpose and spent less than $40. Highly recommended, check out his site. http://www.littleshavers.com/

[carver6]

GWhite,
You can carve a relief with the straight tools you have. I have done relief carvings since the early eighties and haven't purchased any kind of bent gouge. Everything I've carved has been shallow relief and I'm sure a bent gouge would be easier to use if you were going to carve really deep, I've just never gone deep enough to feel the need for a bent gouge. Of course I may learn differently on the next carving I attempt. Just my opinion.
Garon

[squbrigg]

I've used my Ramelson's for relief carving, and you can do most of it with the basic set, but there are some areas that bent blades are useful. My set has three bent blades in it, perhaps I was lucky in finding a set (12) that covers both round and relief carving, but there are still bent blades that I needed.

This web page is for a set that are dedicated to relief carving and small detailed stuff at that. http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com...oducts_id=1486 You will note, they are expensive, but I tell you....they are a delight to use!!! :-) The handles are shaped perfectly for relief and the steel is excellent.....the come in need of a good final hone and a couple I had to use stones on to shape better, but they hold an edge great and have some super profiles. They make detailing a breeze. I found them to be a good investment.

Bob

[Captain_Bandaid]

I have a set of pfeil palm chisels, 16 in all, as well as the full sized chisels for use with a mallet. I have been using the palm chisels to do relief and the only one I lack is a bent skew chisel. I had to make this one because I could not find a small one. One of the ladies in my carving club got a new set of Cogello Skew chisels from Henry Taylor and found that they were poorly sharpened. She had to get them professionaly sharpened before she could use them. I guess that is normal for most manufacturers since Henry Taylor is a well respected name in carving tools.

[GWhite]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I have been using my set of Ramelson palm tools and am surprised how well they've been working. I don't think I'm going to need to look for a different set. Of course I am going to look for some extra sizes of some of the tools, but I'm pleased with how they've done so far.

On a side note I recently purchased a Flexcut Slip Strop and can't say enough good things about it. I was having so much trouble stropping my v tools and gouges and this little device took all the work right out of it. I would definitely recommend that everyone should have one.

Thanks

GWhite