New Tool purchase advice requested.

[wade clark]

ChuckT,
You gonna have some fun!
Wade

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Personally, I would take a look at Ashley Illes first.....I really like'em I have one pfeil tool, and it still isn't any good, wasn't sharp when I got it and after all this time is just a space waster in my my box!

[xsailer]

chuckt, I recently purchased the A and B Pfiel intermediate set. I like them a lot and received them sharp but after working with them a while found that I wanted the sharpened edge more polished(honed) and a very slight bevel change with the rotating edge radiused a little. I've only carved basswood and will continue that for a while knowing that if I carve harder wood I may have to change to a tighter angle. I also have several Ht's and when sharpened are very good tools. I will surely get more in the future when I carve larger pieces. I bought my Pfeil sets so that I could get started carving and have added several other different tools as I saw them and wanted them. One of hardest things to do for me was to decide what and who I wanted. I now feel comfortable that when I sit down to carve I will have the tools to do the job. I also know there will ALWAYS be another tool I will add to my collection. For instance I'm waiting on the mail now for a Foredom and acc. I've ordered. I don't remember seeing in your list any dogleg style tools. If you do relief carving you will certainly need some. Woodcraft has some for a very good price. Over the past year the most important thing I've done, besides buying the tools, is get a good grip on sharpening my stuff. After trying several methods I've finally found a system I like and my carving is so much more enjoyable I can't describe it.

I think you have to have several tools to start carving, as you are doing, then add the tools you need or just plain want as you learn.

[wade clark]

I'm Ashley Iles pretty much all the way,and love them, but I've heard only good things on Pfeil.
I bought nearly all my Ashley Iles off ebay. I have over a hundred of them and I've outfitted 3 of my kids with 35 each. No one needs that many gouges and chisels, but I also collect tools...it's an addiction...and I have only a couple duplicates.
Most of mine I paid $9.99 opening bids for, a few that I really wanted I paid more than retail, on ebay, because ordering them from Ashley Iles they're hand made, each tool, not mass-produced, and that takes time.
I still check ebay for Ashley Iles, but I try not to...it's not fair for me to have ALL of them! Not to mention collecting tools can become an expensive hobby...I don't drink soda, I don't smoke, I make my own wine and beer. I save on those things so I can spend on the important things, my tools! There's a time to be frugal and a time to go with the best you can.
People are certainly right when they say buy the minimum amount of tools you need, then build up one at a time as you need them. But it's sure nice to have the tool at hand rather than think, "If I had that one, I could do it better" and wait a week to get it!
Sorry for rambling!
Wade
p.s. when I get one that's messed up off ebay I send it to Rick at Little Shavers; $2 and as good as new!

[mark yundt]

Don't know if you can ever have too many chisels..Sure there will be some you don't use as often,but they all come in handy.The selection you have will cover pretty much all the bases.I use a set very similar to your selection and have been able to carve most everything you see on my site.As far as brand,,the 6 professional carvers I know personally they all use the pfeil brand almost exclusively.Sure there are the odd old shapes you like,that no-one makes anymore,,but they are seldom used ,and other shapes can be pressed into service. I 've always said, you'd be surprised what some people are able to do with each chisel and the cuts they can make them do,beyond what you think they can do,and the nooks and crannies they can work themselves through.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Wade, lets see, you have over a hundred...humm, if you send half to me, you would then be in a position to start watching ebay and collecting all over again! Think nothing of it! Only trying to help you out

[wade clark]

Hi_Ho,
One thing I've learned about you in the couple years I've been on this Forum is, you're always trying to help! That's a good charactoristic! Even if sometimes you try to help yourself!
I have 2 more kids I plan to sort sets out for soon, as soon as I get them unpacked from our move to TN. Busy building a garden shed for my wonderful wife who has never complained about my carving tools...then what I have left I'll sort through and maybe put some back on ebay...if I do, I'll make sure to post here that it's happening.
I've also got a set of 38 chisels and gouges that were bought in Germany by a Fellow stationed there in 1946. He took a carving class, then talked the instructor into ordering him a set just like his. Beautiful tools! He used them until about 5 or 6 years ago when he lost his sight at age 80. He included a caracature he carved with them.
I'm going to spread all my gouges out when I unpack them and take a picture and post it on here. Not to show off. You and I both rejoice when someone on here has something special for woodcarving. I think my gouge collection is something special. Anyone here wants to come over and use them, you're welcome...after I get unpacked! We'll follow it up with some home-made blackberry wine, if you'd like!
Wade

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Nice invite! 'cept ya cudda moved to
Arizona!

[chuckt]

Well - I went and did it! Placed my order with Woodcraft last Tuesday evening. 24 gouges in all totaling $606. :-)

They said they would send me 6 gift cards with the order, but when I got the order yesterday - only 1 showed up. <sigh> The invoice showed 6 ordered but the line saying six shipped was underlined. So I called em right up and the Cust Service rep said they probably questioned it in the warehouse when they pulled the order since they couldn't see the "Special Inst." screen where I was granted the "exception" to get 6. So she said she would straighten it out on Monday and send me the other cards. Phew!

So, now I have 24 brand spanking new gouges. I guess this means I can't use not having the "right tools" as an excuse not to carve anymore eh? ;-) Of course, I still need to get set up with a work area, and get a workholder for myself and my wife to each use, oh - and I need a carving mallet or two, and of course i still don't have my sharpening stuff yet . . . hmm, plenty o'excuse left afterall. heh heh

Anyway - thanks again for all the advice from everyone. I now have more questions but I'll post em in another thread.

Cheers all!
ChuckT