[MichelleOH]

I purchased two sets recently and finally got around to emailing Rick for the sizes of the tools. The response was as follows:

Tool profiles of Beginners Kit

3/8" #6 long bent Gouge
3/8" #6 straight Gouge
3/8" #1 straight chisel
1/4" #9 straight Gouge
1/8" x 70 degree V-parting
1/4" Skew Chisel


These are nominal dimensions and variations do occur.

He didn't mention the knife size, but that's okay. My question is, what are some good tools to add to this collection? My Santas are asking and, as a beginner, I'm really not sure what to tell them. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[Colin_Partridge]

Having purchased that kit for my grandchildren there is nothing else you will need to purchase to carve a Santa. That kit is all that you will require and by the way the tools come really sharp no need to do anything to them but carve. I have personally used all the tools and they are really good quality tools
Colin

[MichelleOH]

Thanks, Colin, they seem to work well so far. Of course, I've just "test carved" with them. My Mother wants to get me something carving related for Christmas and I'm not sure what to tell her. I already have a WCI subscription coming, so that's out.

[Just Carving]

Gotta have wood!!!! Call Dale at Heinecke and get a box of his magic basswood!!! Best wood and you can't go wrong for the price. You order, he ships, you get a bill a couple weeks later, and then you pay. Great!

Bob L

[MichelleOH]

Great idea, thanks! Anything else out there? Good beginner's books? Tool guides? Carving benches?

[wood-whittler]

michelle,


wood is the top priority and like it has been mentioned you can call dale and get alot of wood for a good price.

as far as books if you want to carve faces any if not all 3 of pete leclairs books are a good start, these are caricature books so not sure if you want to do them or not, mike shipley has some good books that would be good for the beginner also.if you want to learn to draw and carve caricature faces then marv kaissersatts book is a good start also.

one other thing if you dont have one is to get a thumb guard either buy one or make one something to protect the thumb on your knife, this is real important dont ask how i know this just trust me it is important.


another thing that may be helpful is if you have a table to carve at is a nice comfortable chair and a good light a good light will help kill shadows that will throw off the perspective of the carving.

hope this helps just some ideas that popped in my head.

bart


one more thing may be a good 1/4" v-tool flex-cut makes some good v-tools that are and stay sharp.

[MichelleOH]

Thanks, Bart. A few comments/questions...

Originally Posted by wood-whittler

wood is the top priority and like it has been mentioned you can call dale and get alot of wood for a good price.

I sent an email requesting information this afternoon.

as far as books if you want to carve faces any if not all 3 of pete leclairs books are a good start, these are caricature books so not sure if you want to do them or not, mike shipley has some good books that would be good for the beginner also.if you want to learn to draw and carve caricature faces then marv kaissersatts book is a good start also.

I'm most interested in Santa's at the moment. I assume these would help with Santa faces.

another thing that may be helpful is if you have a table to carve at is a nice comfortable chair and a good light a good light will help kill shadows that will throw off the perspective of the carving.

What type of lighting is reccommended for carving?

one more thing may be a good 1/4" v-tool flex-cut makes some good v-tools that are and stay sharp.

Thanks. Looking through my Woodcraft catalog as a reference, it seems as though there are varying degrees of tools. 70 degrees, 45 degrees, etc. Is one better than another for beard carving and such?

[wood-whittler]

michelle,


mike shipley has a good santa and snowman book that the projects are simple enough for the beginner, there is also a tom wolfe book on carving santa ornaments, it is just the face and is a pretty good book for santa faces, these can be done with just about any size wood that you feel comfortable with.



as far as light i have one of those lights that is on the flexible arm with just a 60 watt bulb in it that i let shine on the carving giving me a good bright carving.


for the first v-tool go with the 70 degree i just bought a new 1/4" flexcut and it was a 70 degree, it was fr307 this is flexcuts number and should be on the package this is a good size to start with.if you are going to do beards you should use a small u-gouge first like a 3mm[1/8"] then come back with the v-tool for some depth.


hope this helps if you have anymore questions just hollar.

bart

[MichelleOH]

Thanks again, Bart! I appreciate the info you guys have given. I'm still looking for ideas if anyone has more suggestions.