Some specific tool advice welcome

[Bob L]

Hi All,

I'm Bob and have been lurking in the background the past week or so (as well as reading a few beginner books I got on-line) trying to gain knowledge prior to asking some questions as to which tools I should buy - which are a little repetitive, but maybe not as they are a bit specific.

I know the kind of work I plan to start out doing, and this may sway what carving tools I should start out with. I plan on making:
1) mini duck decoys from old wooden fairway woods and drivers,
2) walking sticks (mainly the heads ... similar to duck heads needed for the decoys), and
3) spoons.

As I've been a woodworker for a very long time, I have several straight (#1) chisels, so consensus for past posts seems to be to buy a #3 / 13mm gouge and a #5 / 13mm gouge. Since I also want to do spoons, should I get a bent gouge or a spoon gouge - and which number sweep and width? Do I need a knife as well??
I have Arkansas stones, but no slip stones or strop - so what would you recommend in there?

ALTERNATIVELY - a Little Shavers kit seems to be highly recommended (guess have to wait until they get back from holiday and have them get in some new stock) - which would make life real simple, but not sure if palm tools are best for what I want to do. I guess I could get the 3 gouges and a palm kit, but I don't want to over do it!!

Finally, I just ordered a duck decoy book with some templates, and I bought the 'Club Duck' article form Woodcarving Magazine - so they should get me started. But, if anyone has made club ducks and can provide some advice - it would greatly be appreciated!! I have not seen anything posted...it could be I'm just missing the thread.

Thanks for having such a good resource available and I am looking forward to learning this skill!!

Bob

PS - where can you buy block wood for carving? I see basswood planks for sale, but not blocks.

[Soggy]

Welcome to the forum Bob. I won't try to help you in the tool selection, but if it's wood you are looking for............. here's the best on the planet (IMO) Great wood and real nice fellows to deal with.
Heinecke Wood Products
Hope this helps;
Wayne

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Welcome to the forum.

Dave

[bigEd_H]

Hi Bob, welcome to the forum. It looks like Wayne already lined you up with Heinecke. they'll sell you any size beyond what they offer on their website.

[Riverman]

Hi Bob, welcome to the group!
Bob

[Claude]

Originally Posted by Bob L

...
I have Arkansas stones, but no slip stones or strop - so what would you recommend in there?
...

Welcome to the forum, Bob.

Make your own strop. Get a flat piece of wood - could be a 1 x 4 from the local lumberyard, about a foot long. Go to a fabric store such as Jo Ann's, if you don't have a Tandy leather company nearby, and get a piece of suede leather. Use some contact cement to gue the leather, rough side up, to the piece of wood. Buy a small chunk of stropping compound from Woodcraft, Rockler, Harbor Freight, maybe even Home depot or Lowes, and rub some on the leather. You now have a strop. Or, wait until Rick gets back from vacation and gets new stock in; the Beginner's kit from Little Shavers comes with a strop and compound.

I agree that Heinecke is the best place to buy basswood. They'll do up custom sized blocks for you at no extra charge.

Claude

[Bob L]

Thanks for the advice & leads.

I was reading the thread on gouges. It provides some good insight to carving tools for relief carving. Still wondering what I should start with.

Maybe: Ray Gonzalez Hooked Skew; 3/8 gouge (fishtail??); 5/12 gouge; plus a mallet.

Bob

[Donsexton]

Hello Bob and welcome, I don't think you can do wrong with some bent gouges long and spoon bent.

[Claude]

Spoons:
Actually, you don't need bent gouges for spoons - a regular gouge will work just fine. Mark Yundt showed how here: Need help with spoon carving scroll down to message#9

Claude

[Bob L]

Thanks Claude - that is a good thread on spoons. I saved it for future reference.

Pfeil has what they call Intermediate tools (a little shorter). Are they better for a beginner, or should one stick with standard length tools as that is what you'd want once are get more skilled?

Bob