How Many Carving Tools Do You Need? Do I need to Buy a Lot of Tools?

[@jeffwhitehead7990]

I’ve found that one doesn’t need a lot of tools but, sometimes I go through a few different kinds/brands to find the one that feels just right and so, I end up with more than I need or actually use. If I find a knife I like on a handle I don’t, I’ll whittle or mod the handle or just whittle a new one. Flexcut blades are pretty easy to split out of the handle and install in a different one (i like flexcut blades). there are also makers who sale just the blade without handles to place in your own. These might be more “advanced” options but, making or modding your own handle goes a long way toward having a knife you love to use. And it is not difficult to do if you are already inclined to carving

[@CarvingisFun]

Sometimes making/modifying the handles is the best option and can make a world of a difference.

[@marlawhite3682]

Thats what I do I mod my knife handles and my fav blads are the flexcut ones too

[@terryadair5956]

I do the same as you, amazing how many knive I have and how few I use to complete a carving.

[@MartyRaaymakers]

This is so true. I buy handles more than knives

[@srcworm]

If you have too many tools, mind sending a v-tool my way? Every time I try looking online for one, I do t know what to get because the name of the tool is some combo of numbers and letters. Or ones I do find are like 45 degrees and 2 mm. I want I think a 60 degree one and idk what size but definitely bigger that 2mm. I’m having trouble finding what I’m looking for

[@SavageVoyageur]

I got all my Dad’s carving tools, about 10 different types. He got them from other guys who gave them to him. So nice that I have the same tools he used. I also bought the Flexcut carving jack from Rockler when they were affordable $65. My new strop comes today and I can start carving again, so fun.

[@bertbennett2719]

The Flexcut beginner kit will handle the vast majority of your carving needs. If you carve really big figures, a set of gouges with a mallet would be useful. Micre gouges for very small pie es. Of course you need a strop and at some point, some type of stones for sharpening.

[@2371Anita]

If you just want to whittle small projects, a good pocketknive and a pocketstrop is enough. The hard part is, figuring out what kind of pocketknive works for you. But that is half of the fun also.

[@CarvingisFun]

Yery true, the pocket knife rabbit hole runs deep!

[@2371Anita]

@@CarvingisFun yes it does! I'm still not at the bottom 😁

[@suzannerush9225]

recommendations?

[@OldMeanGeezer]

Ahhh, the "profound" question.... The definition of "NEED"! I find this definition in in a constant state of change depending on... The proximity of my Wife, the Money in my bank account and my ability to convince myself that it is ACTULLY a NEED and not just a "WANT" - LOL As a general rule, you can always apply the following formula: If ANY other person is about to buy it is a WANT; if YOU are about to buy it, it is ONLY because you NEED IT!

[@CarvingisFun]

Ha!! I'm gonna have to remember that one :)

[@terryadair5956]

I love your babal gaff, and agee with it all.

[@CodingCorvus]

in my home im gonna be making a little working corner for all kinds of stuff like carving, but also just general woodwork. im gonna take over my grandpa's electronic jigsaw and probably also get a good whittling kit from beavercraft or flexcut. thanks for the education on what kind of kit i need with the basic tools and the very many tutorials on the channel to help me get started.

[@vortega472]

Nice one, after lockdown hit the warmer months, me and the wife started hiking and taking on more challenging trails. I decided to make us walking sticks. My first knife to use was my everyday carry - a Benchmade folder that was a trooper (Yoda I love this knife) as I sliced and shaved off layers of bark and knots. I found wood files at my local dollar store, and also sandpaper to smooth it down. Finally, some water-based weather stain and finally Paracord for the handles and some more used at the end of the walking stick to make sure the wood wouldn't split - and I had two new hobbies. Hiking, and wood carving/whittling. The carving part came when I started to add runes and designs to the sticks. Later I started to make ornate pieces and magic wands. It all started with one knife. I got a few more - including a hunting/bushcraft knife I use for harvesting found wood (I only take wood I find on the ground, never living trees) and a Beavercraft set my wife got me. But one good knife is really all you need. (and the gloves - people please stay safe - you cut yourself so easily).

[@sathancat]

I love Flexcut's stuff! They make some solid tools

[@cobbler88]

I would only add that you do need more than the knife. Especially if you want to give yourself the best chance of falling in love with whittling. For that you want your tools to be sharp, and for THAT you need various blocks to sharpen and hone them. You'll at least need one "sanding" block and one leather strop. If you want to make those yourself, you can do it for about $12. Then you'll need the polishing compound for the strop, which will be another $5 on the low end. Still, if you start with a FlexCut (you can go about $9 cheaper with a BeaverCraft, but there is a strong likelihood you'll end up upgrading anyway, so why spend twice?) and are willing to do the shopping and put in the work, you can have the knife and two blocks for about $45, and if you want two sanding blocks (about 400-600 grit on one, and 800-1000 for the second), that's only about an extra $5. That said, I do get the feeling that whittling knives are kind of like ukuleles and guitars. If you buy one, you'll likely buy at least three. And those knives with the colored wood handles in the vid are damn sexy. I started with a FlexCut carving knife, so maybe I'll look at those for roughing knife. 🤣

[@johnm.withersiv4352]

I like tools. They tend to populate and grow around the house and shed.

[@tomevans4402]

I have a lot of wood carving tools, that said, there is about 6 or 7 I reach for the most. I was on Amazon last night looking around 😂

[@CarvingisFun]

I hear ya, amazon is great at taking my money. Just drop off your wallet at the front entrance and have a look around :)

[@dalecaytonjr1327]

Carving in the round is so much fun. It seems to me that relief carving is where the other tools are needed. I’m sticking with my flex cut for now. The artistic ability required for relief carving is beyond my scope right now

[@martins.5977]

I really miss a good oil in your listing.... like Ballistol or sinensis camellia oil, for rusting blades and handles. Both are food safe. Impressive bunch of knifes and tools. A good tool is part of the fun at carving. Good one! 👍

[@CarvingisFun]

Thanks!

[@brinkleysfield]

When someone asks me if they really need a gouge or V tool I ask them if you can drive a nail with a wrench. Yes, you can, but a hammer works much better. Having the right tool for the job makes it much easier.

[@CarvingisFun]

It's true :) If ya think you need it, you should probably pick some up.

[@BeaverCraftTools]

What a great collection you have here 😉

[@CarvingisFun]

Thank you!

[@alfonsocalventeiglesias1398]

You need to record another video: Where to find the Wood for Whittling!

[@CarvingisFun]

Already on the list to do :)

[@MK-zg2yy]

Just 1 more!

[@03030367]

Thank you for the good information.

[@oleksandrdorosh983]

Thanks for what are you doing!

[@madzthedad]

Thanks for the advice! I've gotten myself one of the BeaverCraft knife sets and they're working well for me. Good place to start so I can figure out what I like. The hardest part is resisting the urge to buy more knives until I feel more comfortable in my skill set hahaha

[@beepIL]

I bought a flexcut whittling set (two whittling knives in a plastic packaging) And later on i added the flexcut micro palm set, and even that was because i wanted to be able to refine details with a tiny gouge and make small lines for beards and hairs etc, just couldn't find one sold on its own so had to buy a set of 4. but other than that, i really don't see any reason i would ever need more tools... The only reason i can think of is if i want to increase the size of the workpieces i work on, as long as they are these palm size blocks i am fine with 2 knives and a small gouge \ V shape

[@beepIL]

A more interesting question is - since stropping seems to be such a good thing to do even while you work every now and then, when you go out traveling and you say you throw into the car that folded knives set, what do you do for stropping?

[@CarvingisFun]

I've designed my own personal folding strop that fits in a knife sheath with my whittling pocket knife, so I always have one on me. Im also still designing a half length travel strop that Im planning on selling sometime in the future.

[@beepIL]

@@CarvingisFun Ha! I figured you had something planned for it, I was about to suggest you sell it then i read your second paragraph :) Consider me your first customer

[@gared287]

Could I ask where you purchased your knife holders? Thanks!

[@CarvingisFun]

I think most of my tool holders were purchased from Beavercraft. They have nice rollup tool pouches and tool holders.

[@name9451]

Why doesn't flexcut offer bent gouges in their line of mallet tools? I want a one tool option for quick removal of wood for cereal sized bowls. Do you think the no.3 two inch wide straight chisel they offer will let me swoop into a cereal size bowl all the way to the bottom? I just bought the carving jack and standard size sloyd knife after watching your content. Love it

[@CarvingisFun]

Flexcuts chisel design may not be ideal for bent gouges as the way they are currently designed have a bit too much flex in them. I've been chatting with a few companies that offer good and affordable bent tools, one is Mastercarver and can be picked up here: www.woodcarverssupply.com/Hand-Forged-Spoon-Bits/products/172/ Another one is in China who is making their own version of a bowl gouge. They sent me a video of the current progress and it is looking really nice! Their website is focusercarving.com/ but it isn't ready yet.

[@exeter7414]

This whole time, I thought that was Yoshi, but now I see the bunny XD

[@CarvingisFun]

Now I gotra add a Yoshi to my list of things to carve :)

[@fossilimprint2954]

Wise words.

[@CarvingisFun]

😁

[@00Clive00]

I don't like using to many tools on a job, as I just have more things to sharpen!

[@CarvingisFun]

I hear ya!!

[@Myaccisbanned]

I have a sloyd knife and thinking of just getting a ryobi rotary tool and a set of carving bits. Hand tools are just so bloody expensive.

[@CarvingisFun]

I hear ya!! I actually have a Foredom woodcarving kit that I have been wanting to play around with :)

[@marlawhite3682]

very well said!!!!

[@CarvingisFun]

Thanks!

[@RexMcTavish]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge! I got the beavercraft hook knife featured, and find it has a very square shape, and chatters when scooping the bottom of a spoon. And advice for how to change the profile? I've only got wet dry sandpaper and a simple file

[@CarvingisFun]

From what I have seen, using a hook knife and cutting against the grain will still cause some chatter. What I try to do is go across the grain whenever possible. So if the wood grain is running from the tip of the spoon to the handle, I cut from side to side. This typically results in smooth cut.

[@RexMcTavish]

@@CarvingisFun thanks for the reply! I'll give that a try.

[@teunlll]

@@RexMcTavish The beavercraft hook knive can do clean cuts though. But you have to keep it really sharp and actually cut instead of pushing it straight through. I do find the Mora hook knives way smoother. Just for deep spoons I use the beavercraft.

[@RexMcTavish]

@@teunlll thanks for the input! By cut, do you mean to rotate the blade along the blade as you pull it across the grain? It's tapered shape seems to lend itself to that kind of movement, not like the straight movements I see people do with more shallow hook knives.

[@teunlll]

@@RexMcTavish @Rex McTavish exactly. You will also feel it when you are cutting it the right way. The smooth sound and feeling tells it all. As long as you don't go up against the grain you should be all right. Even cutting along the grain works if you go down in the wood and not back up. Just like with regular carving

[@theanonymissionary2450]

Is that the Beavercraft kit in the shoulder bag in the background? I saw it on Amazon and it looked really cool but dunno if it’s worth $250. I’d love to see a review of it!!

[@CarvingisFun]

That it is!! I personally really like it and do have plans on doing a review on it. If it is worth it is subjective but it is a really nice kit :)

[@theanonymissionary2450]

@@CarvingisFun I’ll keep an eye out! I was also looking at the leather tool roll kit from Beavercraft for about $160 as well which appears to be the same kit with a tool roll instead and no draw knife.

[@2371Anita]

I had some BeaverCraft tools. They carve. But are way to thick.

[@exeter7414]

Potentially a silly question, but what do you do with all of the wood shavings? Do you repurpose them or something?

[@CarvingisFun]

I use it for fire kindling for whn I wana roast marshmallows :)

[@hamishmc6285]

where did you buy that simple set of the detail, ruffing out and scooping knife's.

[@CarvingisFun]

The OCC tool kit I showed was purchased individually from several online shops like Treeline USA, Mountain Woodcarvers, and Bigfoot Carving Tools. The rolling bag itself was from Beavercraft.

[@hamishmc6285]

@@CarvingisFun cool thanks

[@Skallfetthane-ux6hc]

That knife you used on those fox's and that bunny, does that have a specific name? or where can we get those?

[@CarvingisFun]

That is a hand made knife made by Helvie Knives, which are one the best you can get your hands on. The knives are in high demand and there is a substantial wait list that may take several months to get to your order if you place one.

[@Skallfetthane-ux6hc]

@@CarvingisFun ok thanks, awesome to see people sill whitting🤠

[@star7communicator]

Will you eventually make some videos about your stone-carving adventures?

[@CarvingisFun]

Yep, I have a new rotary tool coming in which is what I like to use for carving stone as I burned out my last 4. But it may take some time to make as these carvings take much longer to make and will be 9n my stone carving channel

[@rileycorcoran2383]

What was the name of that first kit you showed?

[@CarvingisFun]

That one is a kit I put together myself, the tools are from OCC Tools (now KCT)

[@fenris3394]

The ONLY correct answer to this question is... ALL THE TOOLS!!!!!! It doesn't matter what projects you are undertaking. Thank you for your attention...

[@pastuh]

Somehow strange why you never explain which exact size knife best to use.. When I read comments I see every time different sizes.. Very confusing. So from multiple videos my setup: OCC 1 3/8" Detail Knife OCC 1 3/4" Carving Knife OCC 2 1/4" Roughing Knife #3 15mm ~ 5/8" Gauge #9 10mm ~ 3/8" Gauge #11 5-6mm ~ 3/16" Gauge/Veiner #9 10mm ~ 3/8" 60degree V-tool

[@CarvingisFun]

The exact size is dependent on the work yoy wish to do. I usually tell people beween 1.5 and 2 inches on the blade for a dedicated whittling knife bet even I use my 1.25 inch and 2.5 inch knives in addition to my 1.75 inch knife. Your spread that you shownis perfect and you did a great job collecting the tools :)

[@Mango_mahogany]

Are there any good quality tools I can get on amazon, like a set of carving knives, wood gouger, leather strop and sharpening stone in one kit, im having trouble finding anything that I trust Please link me to anything good, thank you!

[@CarvingisFun]

Ive actually been collecting some of my favorite sets on amazon here on my amazon page: www.amazon.com/shop/CarvingisFun As to gouges, pfeil and two cherries makes some outstanding gouge, chisel, and v-gouge kits, but Im not exactly happy with their knives.

[@polkawillneverdie2159]

the answer is always more, MOOORE!

[@CarvingisFun]

Yussss!! More tools !!!

[@polkawillneverdie2159]

@@CarvingisFun can't wait for my beavercraft set to arrive and finally start carving some figures. I now only have a big mora knife which I used for spoons and spatula's but it is less then ideal for little figures XD. I also gathered quite alot of carving videos that I want to try, among some of your amazing toturials :)

[@CarvingisFun]

Good choice! Beavercraft tools are great for getting into figure carving :) Have fun carving!

[@Hrvoje255]

What say you about Kirchen carving tools?

[@CarvingisFun]

Kirchen (aka Two Cherries here in the US) are wonderful tools!! The set in the wooden box on the right is reall nice. Only issue I have with them is similar to almost every other wood carving company, their chip carving knives need to be honed better. The chisels, gouges, and v-gouges are similar to Pfeil, but the Kirchen chip carving toola are have a superior finish than that of Pfeil.

[@calD57]

You should have asked “you many do I want!”

[@CarvingisFun]

😄

[@FunzioniMatematiche]

Buonasera, chiedo quale marca e quale modello è il coltello che appare al minuto 2:47...Grazie

[@daryldawe3943]

Did you like that BeaverCraft deluxe kit with bag?

[@CarvingisFun]

I love it! It has essentially all the tools I could want for most of what I like to carve :) plus the carry bag is outstanding

[@Ac2333s]

Great content. Would any small warncliffe work?

[@CarvingisFun]

Yeppers! I do find that sometimes they can be a bit thick but hone them up sharp and you should be good to go.

[@srcworm]

What is a sloid knife

[@CarvingisFun]

A sloid knife is typically a longer wood carving blade (between 1.5 and 3 inches in length) has a curved blade, and is typically thicker and more robust. They also have a Scandinavian flat grind on the cutting edge that is easy to hone and maintain. If you want to learn more, I wrote an article about them: carvingisfun.com/sloyd/

[@kentperry513]

What’s your best tool roll?

[@CarvingisFun]

The one I personally buy doe my knives is from beavercraft. Its small and protects the blades well enough for me.

[@TheSnoopindaweb]

😃

[@dominicworyn4101]

Do you have a social media where you post all your creations?

[@CarvingisFun]

I have an instagram, but to be honest I'm a bit lazy about posting thing up sometimes

[@dominicworyn4101]

@@CarvingisFun all right cool!

[@kennydunlevy9644]

I have a question for you. I’m just getting started with wood carving for Christmas my wife has bought a set from Olerqzer have you heard of this brand of carving tool.

[@CarvingisFun]

Howdy!! I have seen them around, they will get the job done but I do recommend a good sharpening before use.

[@kennydunlevy9644]

Thank you for getting back with

[@murrayberger4344]

I made my own knives

[@ХозяинРеки-к9х]

Я из России Сибирь у нас вообще нет такого инструмента в интернете из вашей страны не получается выписать . У нас не развито такая резьба , а мне очень нравится делать и смотреть ваши видео , я конечно не понимаю о чём вы говорите , смотрю просто , очень хотелось бы хоть немного такого инструмента

[@CarvingisFun]

I recommend buying a knife from here www.etsy.com/shop/SBelovTools He is in Russia and makes really nice knives, I own some myself and like them alot.

[@lolwhatever7307]

Биверкрафт продается на татьянке, спокойно заказывается и покупается

[@ХозяинРеки-к9х]

@@lolwhatever7307 спасибо большое за ответ!!!

[@lolwhatever7307]

@@ХозяинРеки-к9х если что, татьянка - это сайт инструментов для резьбы по дереву. У них есть своя собственная линейка, которую они аж на озоне продают, по вполне приемлимым ценам, сам свой первый нож вчера заказал. Насчет биверкрафта на озоне не знаю, но с сайта должно заказываться спокойно.

[@ХозяинРеки-к9х]

@@lolwhatever7307 скажите пожалуйста, а Биверкрафт это чье производство? Вы видимо в этом разбираетесь, а я ещё новичёк

[@stephenwhittier6439]

👌👍

[@CarvingisFun]

😁

[@scottstephenson9597]

Your not naming the knives.

[@CarvingisFun]

True. I did have about $2,000 worth of tools on the table from at least a dozen different companies. The video would have been a heck of a lot longer if I were to bring out every tool I have and discribe each one. I at the time I thought about it shiwing and naming the knives, but felt that would distract from the original intention of the video.

[@pedrosalguero5664]

First

[@CarvingisFun]

😁

[@robertlangley258]

I thought I repeated myself too much…..damn.

[@CarvingisFun]

ya I can loose track of what I say sometimes lol