Which Chisel is best?

bugsy714 · #1 01-31-2006, 08:55 AM

Hello to all,

On a recent trip to Fiji I met some traditional woodcarvers. They asked me to bring them back some high quality chisels etc for trade. I have no experience in the high-quality tool market so I'm a bit stumped.

Most of the wood they carve is "Vesi", an extremely hard wood found in the islands. They carve kava bowls, masks, war clubs and even the occasional canoe! The carving is a mix of large shaping and fine detailing (veining?).

They had mentioned Swiss tools so I'm thinking they had their eyes on some Pfeils. Will these hold up to such a hard wood? Any tips or advise you can offer would be much appreciated. These 5 brothers carve for a living so the best tools are a must.

Thanks! Charles

bugsy714 · #2 01-31-2006, 09:20 AM

bugsy714 · #3 01-31-2006, 09:24 AM

Above is an example of the type of carving they will be doing. This bowl is Vesi wood as well and was massive (check out couch in background!). The lip of the bowl has the intricate fine line carving while the legs sport the coolest Tikis a person could even want!

GILLY · #4 01-31-2006, 09:34 AM

This is just a suggestion, theses ones are geared for malleting hardwood. Here's the link.http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...30,43332,43703
Hope this helps.

"These hand-forged sculpting tools will make short work of roughing out large carvings or signs. Although large, they are well balanced and are easy to work with. Four styles are available: a 1-1/4" double-bevel chisel, a 1" straight gouge with a deep #11 sweep, a 2" shallow-sweep #3 gouge and a 3/4" 60Â° parting tool. Factory ground with 15Â° bevels, the tools are fitted with doubled-hooped hardwood handles and leather shock washers.
Usable with or without a mallet, the tools need only honing for softwood applications, but should have a 25Â° secondary bevel for use on hardwood. These tools can remove massive amounts of wood quickly. Hardened to Rc56-60."

ElWoodTroll · #5 01-31-2006, 10:02 AM

That is one huge Tanoa! Those people sure know how to whittle. It appears they be searching for other sources of wood before to long though.

Plain_Ol_Ed · #6 01-31-2006, 10:26 AM

Those are decent tools, but the price is out of sight xxx Glad I don't have to buy them there. Shop around, you can get them elsewhere for almost half of that.

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #7 01-31-2006, 11:27 AM

I have Stubai and Ashley Iles, would hate to have to choose between them!

Jon Harl · #8 01-31-2006, 12:22 PM

I think all of the carving tools already mentioned would be top of the line. My personal preference is Ashley Iles. I would recommend a steep angle for sharpening for harder woods. Maybe 25 degrees or more. I'm sure Rick at Little Shavers could advise you on this.

bugsy714 · #9 01-31-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElWoodTroll

That is one huge Tanoa! Those people sure know how to whittle. It appears they be searching for other sources of wood before to long though.

Yeah, no joke. At least on those two islands, they will have to start importing from other islands in the next 5-10 years.

The othere islands have plenty of Vesi, it's just cheaper to abuse the local forest than to import the wood.

They asked for a chainsaw also...then I read some articles and I don't think I'll be bringing a chainsaw back with me. Sustainablity has been a hard lesson to teach these people, guess some people need to see it to believe it.

bugsy714 · #10 01-31-2006, 12:32 PM

Great info so far, I'll check out those heavy-duty chisels. Any other tips or advise would be much appreciated--I need all the advise I can get on this