Carving Tools Guide
Interested in gothic architecture, and want to add some flair to your furniture? Perhaps some Japanese door headers for ventilation between rooms is your next passion. More probably, you're an Amelie fan, and want to carve your own garden gnome. Whatever style you're into, here is a guide to help you navigate the realm of fancy tools to get the most bang for your buck.
How Large?
If you're staying small or are hesitant about investing in some lifetime tools, the cheap sets will get you through your first couple projects.
Introductory Sets: Pro and Cons
Standard Handles
Palm Handles
- PRO: They're cheap. Everyone loves saving a little dough.
- CON: They're soft. Sharpening, taking place much more frequently, feels closer to grating cheese than sharpening steel.
- CON: They're usually smaller and less comfortable. And if the handle is large, the tang is likely not very far down into the wood, making it easy to break.
The Deluxe Set
You Don't Need All of These: Buy À la Carte
Here's a list of essentials to get you started:
- 12mm Chisel: for all your straight edges and flat planes
- #12/8 V-gauge: for all your fine detail and outline
- #8/7 Gauge: for all the small curves and slopes you want smooth
- #8/16 Gauge: to hog out large sections of waste quickly