Palm chisels?

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I am thinking I need a larger palm chisel...have been looking at the Denny "Pete Ortel" model and the "Dave Stetson" version....any suggestions or should i just get a larger set of the flexcut?

[Blake Lunsford]

Hi Ho,

I definitely recommend the Pet Ortel soft v in anyone's tool box. I use that a lot to waste wood, cut in my outline, carve beards and hair....there are numerous uses for this tool...too many to mention! It's a great tool! Just my suggestion!

Blake

[Bartster]

hi-ho

i have both of these v-gouges,and i prefer the pete ortel version better it fits my hand better and i still have enough blade sticking out,the stetson version is just kinda small for me,if you are like me and have fairly good sized hands i would go with the ortel version.

bart

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

OK thanks for the comments Talking

[JerryH]

I also agree that the Ortel version is a great tool! I use mine a lot.
Jerry

[wade clark]

I think if you find a "brand" of quality tools that you really like, you'll probably be happy with any size, style, shape they make. I'm thrilled with Ashley Iles, any piece I pick up. I think if you like Phiel, A.I. or any major highly rated brand, you'll be happy with any piece they make. The only complaint I've ever heard about Henry Taylor is that they sell their tools unfinished. All you have to do with H.T. is send them to Rick, tell him what kind of woods you carve, and you'll have great tools! Every Ashley Iles tool I've ever bought arrived beautiful and unbelievably sharp! Once I mess it up I send it to Rick and it's good as new!
Wade

[Thomp]

You mentioned the flexcut, I recently got the Flexcut 703- #9 9/16" sweep gouge from rick, For price i cant say nothing bad about it,,,
its probobally the best quality in hardness, i have in my palm gouge collection, besides the ones i made from files and other hard steel,
the flexcut really suprized me at how much wood you can hog off even on mixed heavy grained, loblolly pine i carved sheriff and doc cars out of,..
and still it can be used to remove a light shaving with great controll rounding caracitures legs and arms,.
i did hone it out of habit when i finished using it. but i dont think i needed to.. it dose stay sharp.

[Just Carving]

Hi Dave,

I have thought about getting the Ortel tool myself, but I'm not a big fan of sharpening and honing any tools with a "V" or "U" profile. I started with the Flexcut RG tools--the 1" chisel, and the 7/8" #5 and the handle just to have a set of tools to take with me. I like them, and they're portable with the tool roll. Since then, I've been adding a few here and there, trying out different profiles along the way, and now I have a portable set that I can use to work on a carving at any stage from start to finish. I still use my larger tools at home as well as the Flex-cut--usually whatever's handy.

BTW--the Flexcut tools have the Power Handle tools now--so if you're looking for a bigger handle than the palm or a different handle than the mallet tools, the LH904 4pc. Power Handle Set might be the one to look at while comparing with Denny's Ortel tool. It's more expensive but it might be more useful. They also have some in individual tools too.

Good Luck!

[BobD]

I love the Ashley Illes hooked skew...I've talked about it before, but that really is the FIRST TOOL I reach for with nearly every project...I've got the palm version and it is shaped so that you can use it for roughing out (kinda like a knife, but you can put the strength of your arm behind it instead of just your fingers), fine detail cuts (choke up and hold it like a knife)...and everything in between.

While it doesn't replace a v-tool or gouge for hair, it does nearly everything else!

Bob

[Just Carving]

Aw, now you done it BobD!

I just got done ordering 4 Flexcut RG tools to round out my portable tool set. It took me all day Friday to decide whether to get the RG tools or the palm hooked skew. Back and forth back and forth....

Finally, I decided on the RG tools because I just made a hooked skew, and I'm not sure whether I like it or not.

But NOW..you got me thinking again. Hmmmm...who could Santa bring this one from?!?!