[GoneGonzo]

I've been interested in carving for some time now and happened on your BB by chance, looked it over and I'll tell ya , it pushed me over the edge.

A carpenter by trade and work with wood everyday but know nothing about wood carving. Worse yet I'm armed with nothing but a pocket knife and a utility razor.

I'll be in town tomorrow and would like to buy some starter tools but again know nothing about what to buy.

Any suggestions ?

Thx,

Gonzo

[hruukki]

The profile of tools depending on what you want to carve but here are a few dependable brands: Pfeil, Henry Taylor, Ashley Iles, Stubai. For instance: a few gouges, a V-tool (probably 60 degrees) and a skew chisel, if you plan traditional carving. And of course a sharpening kit. Welcome to the forum!

[handicrafts]

Originally Posted by GoneGonzo

I've been interested in carving for some time now and happened on your BB by chance, looked it over and I'll tell ya , it pushed me over the edge.

A carpenter by trade and work with wood everyday but know nothing about wood carving. Worse yet I'm armed with nothing but a pocket knife and a utility razor.

I'll be in town tomorrow and would like to buy some starter tools but again know nothing about what to buy.

Any suggestions ?

Thx,

Gonzo

Hi,Gonzo.

So pleased to know you here!

I am a professional carver from China.

I think you maybe need the following tools to start for carving:

many different kinds of gravers(see attached), hammer,saw,cut file,axe,brush,writing brush,sand paper,color palette,drill etc.

You can buy them in the local graver stores.


Any questions,pls don't hesitate to ask me.



peter

[tucker1931]

Welcome to the group, I'm sure you'll get a lot of answers and help here. Enjoy your stay. If you plan on getting the tools that other fella showed, you best be lookin to rob a bank any time soon. A store called Little Shavers sells a beginners set that a lot of people swear by, sounds real good to me. Being as I'm in Canada I try to buy locally when possible.
Cliff

[Donna_T]

Hello Gonzo,
And welcome to our carving forum. It's a geat place to learn more about carving. As you get time, read back through old postings. Lots of hints there, too.

Are you interested in trying specific types of carving: relief, caricatures, animals, birds, chip, realistic people??? And what size? Mostly hand held under-12" carvings, vise-held large carvings where you use BIG tools and a mallet?

When we have classes to teach new carvers, we do a 6x9 relief of a flower, then a 3-4" weasel that has curves and grain changes, then a 4-5" hound dog that's in-the-round, then a hillbilly. They give you the basics.

When I started carving about 20 years ago, I started with a knife, then added a palm v-tool and a palm veiner. I carved 2-3 years with just those three tools. The two shaped tools were Harmen or now called Ramelson. Good starter tools and not expensive. I'd encourage you to purchase a carving glove to put on your "holding" hand. It will save bloodshed and perhaps stitches and big doctor bills. They take a bit of getting used to, but if you just get in the habit of putting it on before you pick up a tool, you'd soon get used to it. You may want to get a leather thumb guard to put on your carving hand if you pull the knife through your carving toward your thumb. Once you gain good control of your knife, you may not need the thumb guard, but it's cheap insurance against cuts.

Avoid carving tools that are usually available at Walmart or Hobby Lobby/Michaels. They are inexpensive, but there's a reason why--hard to sharpen, won't hold a sharp, not usually good steel, etc. Most of us that don't have a good carving supply store nearby order tools online or through catalogues. Rick in Seattle is good and honest--and a great carving friend. Carving shows usually have vendors at the show where you can buy tools and wood.

Let us know more about what you need and where you're located and perhaps we can steer you to someone specific.

Donna T

[Ron Davidson]

Welcome to the group Gonzo. I suggest start small with the kit from Little Shavers and add tools as you progress. You will find with like carpentry you never have enough or just the right ones and always need more. But like Donna said depends on which type of carving you will like to do.
Ron

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

all good advice..............welcome and call Rick at little shavers lol and don't forget a carving glove!

[slather]

Welcome Gonzo , everyone has given you good advice , you will like it here

[Joggernot]

You'd be surprised at what you can carve with a pocket knife and a utility knife. We have a man in our club who have been carving for 30 years and still uses a utility knife for much of his work. He just tosses the dull blade and get a new one!

Welcome, from another New B.

Joggernot

[GoneGonzo]

Thank all of you for a warm welcome.

Before I read all the reply's Iwas at Wood Craft and bought a starter set and a folding carving knife similar to a pen knife with shorter blades.

Donna, I was drawn to the hobby by the small fiqures of sports fiqures and mountain men I've seen.

While at work recently I've sat around after eating lunch thinking , I could be sitting here relaxing and working on a carving.

I live in Wellsville, Ohio.

Regards,

Tom D aka Gonzo