Tools for the road...

[Nomad]

I counted 12 palm tools and 3 carving knives while admiring Steve Brown's Folk Art toolbox. It looked like a nice assortment. After visiting the Wood Carver's Roundup in Evart, Michigan, I have been wondering what tools I would take to participate in one of the caricature carving classes. As a bonafide tool junkie, I have way too many carving tools to lug to an event like this. So, I'm wondering what folks consider essential and what they consider nice to have along. I've seen some nice tool boxes here and I know it runs the gamut from just a pocket knife to a wide assortment of tools. So, maybe if we categorize them, we can get an idea of what others like the most for caricature carving while "on the road." Any input would be greatly appreciated! So the categories are:

essential V tools

nice to have V tools

essential gouges

nice to have gouges

essential knives

nice to have knives

miscellaneous

[Buffalo Bif]

I'm a knife only kind of guy, in fact I'll change a detail on a whittling in order not to change to a different knife. I guess for traveling I'd take three knives- a wharnecliffe, a curved blade, and an upswept blade. I only use kinves I've made.

[Nomad]

Oh my god! Someone replied! I thought I'd have to wait until an article came out in WCI.



Sounds like great choices for knives although I'm not sure what the difference is between a curved blade and an upswept blade. Are you talking about the blade being curved down?

[Grimnir]

I only have 1 set of tools, so that's my travelling set as well as all else. I have the 11-piece travel set by flexcut, a 2 cherries bench knife and a Finnish Pukko for roughing out. That and a small pullsaw basically is my carving kit, and the knives get more use than the rest combined.

[Tom Ellis]

Terry, I'm with Bif in this one. Most of my carving is done with a homemade knife. I also like a 1/16 inch veiner for hair work, but a knife can do that. A 1/4 inch 60 degree Drake V tool, and a 5/8 inch Denny number 9 gouge.
If I had to downsize to four tools, that would be my choice. But we all know we have more.

Happy Fourth, Tom

[Tom-H]

Terry, After meeting you at Evart and learning that you collect knives and tools you'll have to go through a decision making process to idently the tools to take. The easy answer is to take the tools that you'd need for the class you plan to take. I whittle and carve small so it's easy for me to make this decision. I take my most used pocket knife (course it's always in my pocket anyway), one small/narrow detail knife, a small Dockyard U gouge, a v-tool. and a strop.

Tom H

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by Tom-H

Terry, After meeting you at Evart and learning that you collect knives and tools you'll have to go through a decision making process to idently the tools to take. The easy answer is to take the tools that you'd need for the class you plan to take. I whittle and carve small so it's easy for me to make this decision. I take my most used pocket knife (course it's always in my pocket anyway), one small/narrow detail knife, a small Dockyard U gouge, a v-tool. and a strop.

Tom H

That's good advice Tom. I think one thing I'm going to do is make a list of the different tools different carvers use on their videos for various projects. I have to confess that I get a kick out of watching Allen Goodman as he whips out so many different tools from his arsenal. But one thing he usually does is show you how to carve the same thing with only a knife.

[Buffalo Bif]

I need to edit my post- I said i use only knive I have made and that is not true. I have a Tom Ellis knife, Lignum vitae handle and a personna blade, its a beaut and a good cutter. I also have a Japanese sharpened for hardwoods like ebony and purpleheart.

[Agoodknife]

Hey Nomad,good post...as you know Imma tool junkie for sure...while I actually don't need half the stuff in my box,it's good knowin' there there,lol.
I'll contribute to your list...since it's great for seeing what folk's are actually using the most.
************************************************** ************

essential V-tool's = *1/4'' /*1/8'' (45 degree on those work fine for me).

nice to have V-tool's = *Micro V-tool's by Dockyard and a *3/16'' tight degree by Drake.

essential gouges = *10 mm # 9 / *5 mm # 9 / *1/4'' #11 / * 1'' #3 / *1/2'' #7 *Micro gouge set by Dockyard

nice to have gouges = *1/8'' #11 / * 3/16'' #3 w/ rounded corner's / 1/2'' #5 9/16 #9 / Soft V by Denny / *Swiss Made bent V-tool.

essential carving knives = *thick stock removal blade (pocket knife-3 blade whittler) / *1 5/8'' flexible upsweep.

nice to have knives = *detail knife 3/4'' straight w/ thin blade / 1 5/8'' flexible blade straight profile / *any knife you have left that will fit within your storage limitations.

misc.= Zap-A-Gap & band aids,wimp wrap,thumb guard's. strop w/ compound. DMT diamond credit card sharpeners. Feed-N-Wax (the small bottles) and a cppl of tooth brushes.

Allen

[Nomad]

Mucho thanks Allen! Looks like a great list. I think I need to be brave and modify a 3/16" #3. Sounds like something I should send to Allen Goodman to do.