Please explain:V-tool/veiner

Mail Walker · #1 01-09-2006, 05:20 PM

Are a V-tool and veiner the same thing? If not What's the difference? Ah the life of a begginer.

Paul_Guraedy · #2 01-09-2006, 05:52 PM

Sure is confusing; but, they are not the same thing. The V tool has definite wings on it making it a V shape. For some reason veiner is the term used for the #11 gouge. This tool is formed into a semi-circle. It is the deepest and most curved of the gouges. The other end of the scale, to me, is equally confusing, why is a #1 (flat) called a gouge instead of a chisel? There is a good explanation of woodcarving tools in the latest issue of the Carving Magazine.

Mail Walker · #3 01-09-2006, 05:55 PM

Thanks for clearing that up for me, Paul. I am shopping around for some individual tools and got confused. Also, thanks for replying so quickly, now I can get back to spending some hard earned moolah.

Marci MN · #4 01-09-2006, 07:35 PM

Yes thank you from me too. I thought they were the same thing too. I wish I was a rich person, I would just buy a whole set and worry about names and numbers later. LOL Its hard to pick and choose when you dont know what the numbers and names stand for.

Paul_Guraedy · #5 01-09-2006, 08:00 PM

Might as well learn the numbers, even though I still get confused. One problem is the tool makers that do not put the numbers on the gouges. Hard to remember that your favorite is a #5, if the number is not there. To add to the confusion a veiner is also called a U gouge by many. Now, this makes sense, since like the V tool it identifies the shape.

While I am at it one of the other tidbits of information given to me by another carver (don't remember who) is that 26mm is roughly an 1 inch, 13mm is 1/2 inch, 6mm is 1/4 and 3mm is 1/8. Now, these are just close so that you can picture the sizes, especially at the 3mm level. You will find both 2mm and 3mm described as 1/8, although I have seen the 2mm also described as 1/16th. Makes learning the metric system seem worthwhile doesn't it. But, then, I can grasp comparing a meter to a yard, but, how much is 8 meters? Oh well, at least they don't make gouges that large!

rick-in-seattle · #6 01-09-2006, 08:55 PM

Paul is correct about it being corn-fusing.

Today, companys are using terms that do not agree with proper tool vernacular.
(I love that word, got it from Curly of the Three Stooges) "Disorder in the Court" was the episode.

Veiners refer to small #11 gouges, but the term is often applied to large #11 gouges as well.
To make matters worse, some authors use V-tool and Veiner interchangeably.

AlArchie · #7 01-09-2006, 09:20 PM

Glad you mentioned that v-tool/veiner connection, Rick. I was going to bring it up but don't actually know the exact derivation of the term "veiner". From what I've read though, it began as a European term for any tool used to run the veins in acanthus, oak, and grape leaves, and origianally it was mostly v-tools. Gradually the term veiner has been applied more correctly, in modern terms, to the half round small gouges. V-tools are then more commonly known as either v's or "parting tools", relating, I think, to the similarity in shape to lathe turning tools.

I think we all better accept the "U" gouge as a veiner, but not be surprised to hear small v's also referred to as veiners by some carvers and instructors.

My 2 pennies

Al