[Bluevb1972]

Ive been carving for about a year, and i was wondering what type of full size tools are best to buy. i have some flexcuts and to tell you the truth i dont really like them. Im thinking about saving up for some two cherries.

[Paul_Guraedy]

The topic of tools is a very popular one. There are certainly strong advocates of all of the major brands (including devoted flexcut followers). I would recommend going to the search button (in the green bar), type in the name of the various brands and you will have hours of research available.

Personally (and it is my experience that it is more personal than a question of quality), I have at least one tool from all of the major brands. Although, I have settled in on pfeil (Swiss Made) as my favorite, I have almost as many Flexcut.

[Tom H]

Welcome to the Board! Glad you're here. Can't help with the question on big tools. I seem to have settled on a pocket knife and small tools.

Where abouts in Ohio??

Tom H

[iwoodcarve]

Welcome, you should get lots of recommendations. My advice is try lots of different types and see what works best for you. My preference is Pfeil also, but use the flexcut palm tools also. I was also wondering your location in Ohio, go Buckeyes!

[Ed Redwine]

There are a lot of good tools around. I prefer the Henry Taylor tools but that is just my choice.

Ed

[mdallensr]

Welcome from another Ohio carver. I've never warmed up to Flex-cut tools, particularly the full size tools. I have mostly Pfeil plus some Henry Taylor, Ashley-Isles, Two-Cherries and some big, old Marples. I think tool preference has a lot to do with what you start with; few of us make major changes later on. I've heard only good things about Two-Cherries, Pfeil, and Stubai. It's really worth trying them if you can find other carvers to work with. There is a lot of difference from brand to brand. Pfeil tools come sharpened and ready to use. I've had to sharpen every Henry Taylor tool I bought and re-ground most of them to get the bevel right. They're fine now, but that was a lot of work.

Most carving shows have vendors with tools, and a bunch of carvers who bring their tools to carve while they're exhibiting, so you could get to see several brands and get a lot of free advice. Ohio has a lot of carving shows, so you should be able to get to one soon. Good luck. Mike

[sccarnes]

I am a rookie , this site is god sent to new carvers, and i think older ones too,
alway before i used power tools, either to lazy or in a hurry, the real reason ,didn't think i could to afford to keep buying knives when they got dull,
but thanks to this site , an using knives , learning to strop, buff what ever, trying make my own little gouges,
all the information is here,
went to the Converse,In show sat, and the carvers are as great in person as they are on the site, bought a few items, even got a Weill's knife, never thought i would do that,
got some finger guards, but put off buying a glove, the smartest thing i never did,
came home and Sunday , proceeded to slice a nice[according to the doc, ] deep, neat , clean, cut across my middle finger, 9 stitches, so i am off to buy the glove,
i guess the reason i see all the good carvers wear gloves, well there must be a reason,
i am not a good carver[yet] , but i know i will be wearing a glove from now on,
so heed the advice the old pro's give, do what makes you happy, and carve safe,
as for what to buy, the man say he never saw knife he didn't have to have,
grew up hearing "buy bonds" now hear buy gloves>
SAM
go bucks, O-H

[Ron T]

Hi Bluevb,

Welcome to the world of carving. A great place to be.

[Ron T]

Hi Sam,

that's sounds like a nasty cut. It's probably going to put a damper on your carving for a while.

Take care so it doesn't get infected.

Originally Posted by sccarnes

I am a rookie , this site is god sent to new carvers, and i think older ones too,
alway before i used power tools, either to lazy or in a hurry, the real reason ,didn't think i could to afford to keep buying knives when they got dull,
but thanks to this site , an using knives , learning to strop, buff what ever, trying make my own little gouges,
all the information is here,
went to the Converse,In show sat, and the carvers are as great in person as they are on the site, bought a few items, even got a Weill's knife, never thought i would do that,
got some finger guards, but put off buying a glove, the smartest thing i never did,
came home and Sunday , proceeded to slice a nice[according to the doc, ] deep, neat , clean, cut across my middle finger, 9 stitches, so i am off to buy the glove,
i guess the reason i see all the good carvers wear gloves, well there must be a reason,
i am not a good carver[yet] , but i know i will be wearing a glove from now on,
so heed the advice the old pro's give, do what makes you happy, and carve safe,
as for what to buy, the man say he never saw knife he didn't have to have,
grew up hearing "buy bonds" now hear buy gloves>
SAM
go bucks, O-H

[Bluevb1972]

Thanks alot guys. Im glad i found this community because i am the only one i know from my area in northeast ohio that carves!