Hello There!

Serial · #1 09-10-2007, 06:04 AM

Hello everyone!

I found my way here in search of information about tools for carving. I'm a total beginner except from the experience I got from carving with cheap tools

.

I want to learn how to carve text and some landscaping but are not sure about what tools to buy.

I've looked at sets of different kinds but what I understand is that when buying those it can end up in having tools you don't need.

Now I will search on the forum instead of put every question I have here

<-- A hello Cheer from Sweden!

GeorgiaCarver · #2 09-10-2007, 09:14 AM

Hi Serial

Welcome to the forum. There will be lots of opinions on this one. For lettering you can use chip carving tools or chisels. For the scenery you can use a chisel set. I personally like the Pfeil brand. You would want a skew and flat chisel, you would want a couple of gouges from slight to more U shaped, you will want a vernier tool. That would be a good start. Of course you will want to add more to the set as you progress. You might also want to consider a knife or two if you don't buy Chip carving tools. I like the Helvie brand or Cape Forge. I would buy a detail knife from either of these companies.

Personally, I use a Helvie and Cape Forge knife for lettering and for carving in the round. I use the chisels to take out the wood between the letters and when doing relief carvings of landscapes.

Hope this helps a little.

Greg

Serial · #3 09-10-2007, 10:02 AM

I understand that there is alot of different ways to do it, like everything you get involved in. Thank you very much for your input and help .

I've read as much as I could in this time and it has lead to an order. What I ordered (so far) is: (I've tried to convert it to inches but don't know if I'm any good at it)

PFIEL
I ordered a 16 mm (about 5/8 inch) of this one, they had no wider so I will start with this.

PFIEL
165162 - 12 mm (about 1/2 inch)
165163 - 20 mm (about 3/4 inch)

PFIEL
161201 - 6 mm (about 1/4 inch)

NO BRAND
The image is kindda clear.

Serial · #4 09-10-2007, 10:04 AM

(This post continues to one over this because of the 4 image limit)

GERMAN BRAND
Just picked one of the knifes, have to start somewhere to se what I like and dont like.

GERMAN BRAND
I ordered one of this U-shaped 4 mm (about 1/6 inch)

The TOTAL AMOUNT ended at $174.

So, is this a good beginners set? If no, dont tell cause I have paid it
Now I can't wait to get it, it takes up to ten days... I will be an expert in theory before I get my tools

GeorgiaCarver · #5 09-10-2007, 06:57 PM

I think you have made some good choices. For small carvings or light detail you will want the smaller tools. For the large details/carvings..... you got it, large tools. You will also need a strop and stropping compound to keep the edges sharp. Lots of threads on here related to stroping so I will defer to those threads.

Let us know how you like the tools when you get them, and be sure to keep them real sharp...

Almost forgot, a kevlar glove for you non-carving hand and a thumb guard for your carving hand are a must. I like the Handguard Whizard II kevlar glove. About $19.00 and a thumb guard about $2.00

Greg

kitaye · #6 09-11-2007, 06:16 AM

Welcome Serial.

The knife pictured in your second post is a Chip Carving knife. It is used with a specific style of carving and is verygood for that style. I tried using it for other styles and it didn't work out so well. However, the same brand has a 2 inch straight knife that works well for most stuff except really small detail stuff.

Joy · #7 09-11-2007, 06:56 AM

Welcome to the addiction of carving. I hope it brings you great satisfaction.

Serial · #8 09-11-2007, 07:26 AM

Some equipment for sharpening is also on the way and thanks for the advice about the safetyissue. I've already felt that it can go very bad very easy so I'm definetly looking in to that. The bussiness of carving seems to be a little smaller in Sweden. I will update when I've recieved and tried the new tools.

Thank you for the information Kitaye! What kind of style is it used for? Is that a valid question? =) I just choosed one of the knifes so I've something to start with.

Thanks Joy,

this is a friendly forum, alot of nice people. And for the addiction part I'm sure it will become an addiction for me =)

kitaye · #9 09-11-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serial

Thank you for the information Kitaye! What kind of style is it used for? Is that a valid question? =) I just choosed one of the knifes so I've something to start with.

The style is called chip carving and is very popular in Europe as I understand it. There is a forum here where some chip carving is displayed or you can do a search on line and find several pages of examples. You can do geometric or freeform chip carving or even a mix of the two if you choose. Give chip carving a try, you may just fall in love with it.

Mitchell · #10 09-11-2007, 05:53 PM

Great choice on tools.

DO use them carefully and you should learn to sharpen before getting too involved in carving.

There's LOTS of reference materials on sharpening on the internet. Smoky Mountain Woodcarving and Little Shavers each have some good tutorials (a quick internet search should provide LOTS of reading!).

You don't seem to be too shy - so ask away with any questions.