Every Woodcarving Tool I Use - and Why

The long awaited toolkit breakdown where I tell you all in too much detail about every one of my woodcarving chisels, gouges and knives, and more importantly why/where/how I use them - because what's the point of a list of sharp objects without a analysis of what they do best. These are all the carving tools I use for my Pokemon and animal figure carvings, and I've got quite a bit of a collection now.
Not sponsored by any of these companies!
Okay, the list of tools (may not be the exact thing I use, some affliate links. I try to send you to something that I actually recommend rather than something overpriced on amazon):
Saws
Ryoba: amzn.to/2OcqPlh
Dozuki: amzn.to/2AWCK25
My Favourite Chisel: bit.ly/2kFryiM
Gouges
Pfeil: bit.ly/2UDo8M3
V-Tool: bit.ly/2UCitWH (and jokes it's an 8mm not a 7mm)
Flexcut: bit.ly/3cWe0UM
Knives
Flexcut: bit.ly/3hnA4Lt
Hock: www.hocktools.com/products/kni...
Drake: bit.ly/2YQzijh
Orford: bit.ly/2XUt7tT
Dremel: amzn.to/2AZ8XG0
Finger Protection
Friction Guard Tape: amzn.to/2LCwtM4
bit.ly/2mn69eB
Carving gloves: amzn.to/32ORIzS
bit.ly/2kRwJMi
Wood
First look locally for basswood at hardwood suppliers/sawmills
amzn.to/2QgIif7
amzn.to/34T5wuS
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Please like this video if you enjoyed it, comment below and I'll try answer any questions, and subscribe for more woodcarving content!
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Website: www.symanwoodcarving.com/
Instagram: / symanwoodcarving
Facebook: / symanwoodcarving
Twitter: / seansyman

[@billhatcher2984]

What you do puts a lot of smiles on people so I think you are great

[@zygarlio9885]

Ive recently been looking for a new hobby and Ive been really liking wood carving alot so seeing this video really helps me to find the tools I need.

[@brotherned111]

Best breakdown I’ve watched yet. Thanks mate!

[@btws0]

Really helpful video. Thanks! I'd love to see a video about sanding and the steps in between carving and finishing.

[@gizmoteknodekker7060]

I spent years and years using a Victorinox SAK exclusively. But the flexcut Beginner set is a beautiful piece of kit for whittlers of all skill levels. Great video, 👍🏻

[@stevesgrowingspace]

A very interesting video my friend. Thanks for talking me through all your kit. All the best Steve

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Cheers Steve!

[@sambarker404]

Great video and really well presented information. Thank you.

[@elenasgara1815]

That's so insightful! New subscriber from me! I just started carving myself but for now I'm only using a dremel! My grandpa used to work and carve wood by hand and I want to keep his legacy going!

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Awesome! Doesn't matter what you're using as long as you're being creative

[@seniorchiefharris]

Great video for a beginner and a more experienced wood carver! My personal preferences are the Drake and Hock Knives and the Drake and Pheils and Flexcut gouges! Of course, every wood carver has different preferences of tools, but these mfg's tools are superior to most other tools... Thanks for sharing your personal preferences and I totally agree with many of your choices!!! Stay Safe and Healthy!!!

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Fantastic selection. Cheers!

[@steveshepherd333]

Another really interesting and inspiring video. Again, very helpful info.on tools etc. excellent stuff. Much thanks. Steve U.K. 🌳👍🏻🙏

[@pastuh]

I would suggest using tools that have received the most reviews. Just like with art, the issue is not the painter but the brushes and paints. If you want to achieve excellent results quickly, don't limit yourself to the 'beginner' section..

[@TheWoodgineer]

I knew I’d regret watching this - now I *need* to buy more tools 🤣 good rundown though and nice to see a few of your go-to tools I already have like the flexcut detail knife :)

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Haha, your need to buy tools should be first dictated by what you're carving. Sorry if I gave you tool envy hah

[@georgelionon9050]

I got a few tools but at the end 99% of the time I use a knife similar to 7:10. For many things, it's all one would really need. Due to it's curve sharpening is a little harder tough. I also "desharpened" the tip somewhat for safety reasons (otherwise just touching the skin would make an impact)

[@nicolehopelopez7368]

Thank you po now I know toool that use incarving wood thank you I got perfect in my quiz thank you

[@abbasduman6963]

How do you know how deep the sweep is? Is there a way to measure it?

[@axiomaddict]

Thanks. Helpful. (Can you bring the music volume down a bit?)

[@CarloswithFaith]

What about for pipe making (I’m a pipe smoker) such as detailing? I figure something smaller. Btw, great video.

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Some of those smaller Pfeil gouges may hit the spot.

[@JoshuaDiamente]

Hey Sean, Thanks for the video! I have a couple of knives I'm happy with but I am severely lacking in chisels and gouges. Are there any chisels and gouges that you would recommend that come in a set/kit? Thanks for your time.

[@SymanWoodcarving]

I'm not one for recommending sets - I'd much rather buy a couple of quality tools so I'll get good use of out each one. Pfiel is a good place to start

[@JoshuaDiamente]

@@SymanWoodcarving thanks mate, also I have a challenge for you; Nidoking! Would love to see how you tackle that. God bless✌️

[@konradtemlitz4222]

Do you have a link for the V-tool that's recommended when starting out?

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Added a specific link in the description. Also, jokes, it's a 8mm not a 7mm.

[@zakmclaughlin8450]

I'm so interested in getting into carving. Do you recommend starting with little chunks of wood? Maybe a beginners series that I could buy to get started that teaches basics. My confidence in my artistic ability is not very high but I would love to give it a try for awhile and see where it goes. Thanks for the rundown. Looks like you have over $300 in hand tools there. I like the Machamp pokemon the best.

[@Owieczkin]

Maybe try starting with wooden spoons? You can just grab a tree branch, and start carving. If there are road maintenance works going on in your neighbourhood, then you can even get some wood for free ;)

[@zakmclaughlin8450]

@@Owieczkin wooden spoons? For carving? Yea I gotcha

[@Owieczkin]

@@zakmclaughlin8450 you can start with: one carving knife, one gouge chisel, cut resistant gloves, sharpening stone (preferably diamond around 600 grit), leather belt/strop, polishing compound, and some oil. Feel free to ask any questions ;)

[@Elpappydaddy]

Hey I was wondering what you recommend as the amount of tools for detailed carving that a beginner would need? Like 4, 5, 6 ? Chisels, palm chisels, knives ? I've always done carving with a knife for fun but I've been wanting to buy tools but would like to have the NECESSARY ones. What would those be ?

[@SymanWoodcarving]

It really depends on what you're trying to carve. I was able to be getting detail with the 3 beginner tools I reccomend here (v tool, knife, chisel). So I'd say that is what necessary. Everything past that just helps!

[@Elpappydaddy]

@@SymanWoodcarving Thank you ! I really appreciate you answering to my comment. Keep up the content, it's great !

[@christianespinosa6123]

Hi Man these lil projects are incredible and I have been considering wood carving but off course before I start I'm trying to under everything I need, how long does it take you make baby Yoda or a Pikachu?

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Pikachu depends on the level of detail you go to, can be about 10 hours. The Baby Yoda that I carved was pretty detailed and was at least 20 hours

[@christianespinosa6123]

@@SymanWoodcarving I see wow and are you constantly carving baby Yoda's to sell? Or is more of a one time thing ?

[@miktmikleson4891]

@@SymanWoodcarving would you have any patterns for any of the pokemon?? Ive been inspired by your work and want to get into it. But cant find any patterns for anything what do you recomend to lay it all out?

[@abbasduman6963]

These are pretty much tools and some that are similar. But which gouges do you recommend for beginners and which ones do you think are the most important ones?

[@SymanWoodcarving]

This depends hugely on what you are actually carving. In general, I would say the most important gouge is the v tool - I talk about it in this video. For me, my most important besides that are my smaller palm tools, as I work on small detailed pieces.

[@abbasduman6963]

@@SymanWoodcarving How dp you find out which dedicated gouge you need for the carving?

[@allan640]

Maybe you can help me, I'm trying to figure out how to inlay a tear drop shaped object into a peice of ebony wood as a gift for my wife. Normally im a power tool guy, but im stuck on this. Im worried a power yool even a Dremel wont be edge accurate for this odd 3d shaped inlay. im setting a peice of lapis into a square of ebony the top center of a jewelry box made of olive wood. But i am stuck on how to do it. The ebony is square so no problems on that i can use my router table to get that to a flawless fit... But thats why i chose that way in addition of the nice contrast i hope to get between the light olive wood and the dark ebony and the lapis

[@TheWoodburningWarrior]

Ahhhhhhhhh...now I need more tools!! 😂

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Only buy what you need!

[@monochromatichobo1020]

What about sanding/scraping?

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Sanding is pretty straightforward, just sandpaper, most videos on here I talk through the grits I'm sanding through. I just have some mini scrapers from Lee Valley

[@Hbomb411]

That was great, thank you, as I'm trying to get into carving but, I still have yet to buy my tools because I'm so apprehensive I'm going to waste money for stuff I don't need. I just have to let you know that your accent is great, (like my ex-father in law🤣) but when you speak quickly and I have my captions on, I had to rewatch many times since I know you weren't telling people to carve with "salty woods" and the list of your tools are "tittie clovers" in a "ditch pack". 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤦 I promise you I'm not making that up, the captions were horrendously hilarious(of no fault of your own) but, I got a greatly needed laugh, so thanks again! Love your channel ❤️ Mayhap, you'd consider carving the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"? I've seen others attempt, but they come out all boxy and caricature like and you're work is very polished/realistic, so I'd love to see your version. Thoughts? 🤔😊 Happy Carving❤️

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Haha I'm going to have to look at these subtitles, sounds hilarious. Any speech recognition system always struggles with the NZ accent. Probably not for a while on the TMNT but could be cool!

[@Hbomb411]

@@SymanWoodcarving idk if the subtitles are the same across the board but if so, you'll def have a laugh! I hope you do make the TMNT! What's your next or current project in the works?

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Just started on a Jolteon.

[@Hbomb411]

@@SymanWoodcarving ooo very cool! I just started getting into the world of Pokemon, as my son turned 5 so he enjoys your videos too 😊 look forward to seeing it!

[@tomevans4402]

Yep need more tools😂

[@benholland3682]

Music is kinda distracting here. I would either turn the music right down, use a low pass filter to remove all the low end which is clashing with your voice and or use something more subtle like atmospheric pad music.

[@SymanWoodcarving]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@abbasduman6963]

I'd say just turning the music down would make it pretty much perfect.

[@curiousgeorge555]

For some reason I can only understand about half the words he says. Maybe I'm losing my hearing.

[@davenderjangra9631]

Name -Devdutt, roll ni-259, class-carpanter

[@bluedog2004]

I'm sure the video would have been entertaing and useful if not for the echo and music so I and lost interest quickly.

[@jimmyrutledge4531]

Can’t understand anything you say,, echo and music playing while you talk