Which palm tools?

[Carvity_Carve]

I've been thinking of getting some palm tools recently. Which type or set would you advise for general carving in the round? The Ramelson set sure looks pretty, but I really have no idea.

Thanks.

[Jerry_K]

C-C,

I know that it has been posted on this board numerous times - different folks like different tools. I think it may even be more true for palm tools because of how the tool feels based on hand size.

I have five or six Flex-cut palms and about the same number Stubai palms. I like them both. I prefer using the Flex-cut for "tight-to-get-into" spots, like details on small carvings. I like the Stubai veiners. I think they are a little deeper than Flex-cut. I like the Stubai a little better for the shape of the handle. I have small hands and the Stubai seems to "fit". Those are the only two that I have any experience with and I would recommend both.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I started out with a set of ramelson (do not recommend a set, buy individual tools as you need them) quite a few years ago. Then started buying flex cut tools. I do not have any stubai, have tried some that I borrowed from others, but cannot speak of them with any real experience.

I do not believe you could go wrong with either ramelson or flex cut. I find that I have now become very familiar with the cutting ability and profile of the tools in both sets and tend to grab the tool based on the shape (and size) of the cut it makes rather than favoring one line over the other. This is especially true concerning V tools.

I do relief carving of various subjects and about the only palm tool (name brand) I use a lot is a V tool. I use, mostly, several different flat gouges that I purchased from Ron Wells. Use full size tools for getting rid of a lot of wood at a time.

I am primarily a bird carver (birds of prey). The palm tools I use most and would recommend as a starter set are: 3/8" double bevel chisel, #3 gouge, #5 gouge, and a couple of different angle V tools. I use them mainly for shaping and defining feathers and stay with larger tools (and power) for the rest.

Lately, I am finding that I prefer my full size tools over both the intermediate and palm size tools. The handles make little difference, most of the time, because I hold the tool as much by the shaft as by the wood. This may be because I have wide palms, but very short fingers. When I have my hands on the handles, I usually have the work clamped and both hands on the tool and the handle style again makes little difference.

I have a variety of full size tools and, again, do not prefer one line over the other (as long as you are with one of the name brands) because of quality, etc. I do have more flex cut because of price and ease of keeping a very sharp edge. They may not last as long as the others, but, they appear to be good for my lifetime and I will let the next generation worry about that. So far, I have not used a mallet. May change my tune if that happens and move more towards a different brand.

[Nancy-G]

I have tiny hands and carve "backwards" so can't use the Flexcut handles unless I sand them straight and then they're still a bit too short. And I'm not very comfortable with the Stubai handles. I don't like any of those short, stubby, rounded handles. Give me a plain 4" long handle. Give me a DIOBSUD tool. Perfect tool all around.
Just my personal preference.
It would be great if you could buy or try one tool of several brands - a different size/shape of course - and see what feels and sharpens best for you.

[squbrigg]

I use Ramelsons a lot, and they work well for me. I guess it depends on what you are carving, both in material and style. You might find them light for really hard woods , but great for most. I've used a few Flexcut tools and am impressed with their cut in softer hard woods, but not so much in harder woods, bevel is just too thin. Warren makes a nice tool, short handle, wider blade and I use those a lot as well. Both keep an edge beautifully. I've heard great stuff about Stubai and Pfeil but haven't used them. I have a set of the Henry Taylor Palm tools, but don't really use them, I just don't care for the bevel of the blades and haven't taken the time and energy to re-shape and re-sharpen them.

Bob

[mdallensr]

I use mostly Ramelsons palm tools; Pfeil for full size. I had to regrind most of the palm tools to get a good profile, but that effort was worthwhile. They are readily available, and you can usually find a dealer at a carving show. I've been a contrarian on buying sets, at least to start. When you buy a starter set of 6 tools, you're paying about half price for each tool. Even if one of the 6 is one you don't use much, the set is still cheaper. I have about 30 palm tools, and use all of them in a year's carving. I use more than half routinely, but I do a variety of carvings.

I think the success of new carvers is related to good instruction, sharp tools, proper wood, and step-by-step learning. If a new carver had nothing more than a serious carving knife, a good piece of basswood, and a coach to guide the new carver through a couple of simple, basic shapes, most of the bad experiences that discourage new carvers would be avoided. I was fortunate to start with all of the above. If I had started with a dull pocket knife and a piece of pallet wood, I doubt I'd be carving today.

[Colin-Partridge]

Pheil tools are my favorite although I have many different brands in my collection. I find Pheil (Swiss tools) are really hardy tools and hold and excellent edge. I think it is all what you get used to I started with Pheil so thats why they are my choice.
Colin

[mikeg]

I've got Ramelson and Warren palm tools and I like them both.

mikeg

[Kenny_S]

Buck Brothers, Ramelson and Flexcut. I like both the Ramelson and Flexcuts. Have several sets of the Flexcuts and individual ones also. I agree with Paul on buying individual ones. Some of the different gouges in all three brands sets, I don't use much.
I believe it is what your get use to also. Had the Buck Brothers first then Ramelson but I have bought more Flexcuts.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I have got a raft of all brands (except Diobsud, even with Rick's help, I still can't procounce it, gonna have to try them one of these days), Here's what I use on a regular basis.

Denny 1/2" 3, 5, 7, and 9
Stubai 3, 6, 8 mm xtra deep veiners
3/8" and 1/4" 9 Ramelson
Stubai 4mm and 10mm V tools
Ramelson 1/8" V tool
Dockyard Micro-U-Gouge set

Stubai has far and away the best veiner design and the Dockyards are great for detailing. Ramelson is the best buy but their veiners don't match up to the Stubai's.