How To Get Started In Carving What Tools Should I Get

[@standswithfish]

My wife was complaining that her kitchen knives were not as sharp as my carving tools. I told her "Oh, just strop it!"

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

At least she cares about the sharpness of her kitchen knives. I have met myriad women who are fearful of sharp knives preferring butter knives to sharp ones.

[@dixonbeejay]

All you need is a carving knife , v gouges, 13m and 12m , flat , gouge, skewer. As a Maori carver I've started with only a knife when I first started of I used swiss made pfeil in a carving room we had only pfeil now I have cheap budget ones I tell you I've used them for over 5 years and done amazing work, my ansestors used Jade stone implements attaching creating an adze to creating large wooden carvings (see whakairo carvings) this what I've learnt as a 13 year old now I'm 41 years old as a woodcarver I've learnt how to adapt to any tool that fits it's purpose. I love all your tools🙂👍♥️

[@kristindowner9897]

I inherited my grandfather’s briefcase FULL of carving tools… I would love a tutorial detailing exactly what the purpose of different tools are. Thank you for scratching the surface of that massive topic today!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

the best place to start is with Marry May. She does some amazing work and has a munch of free instruction too.

[@timkirkpatrick1749]

Thank you for your video. Yes I have found that you can buy a carving tool. That’s not enough. You need another one then you need another one. I have a nice set of carving tools with a bunch that I’ve never used, lol. But she put good information out there for a lot of people that don’t know and it was done very well. I enjoyed your show.

[@FamilyWeir]

Another vote for Mary May. If you're Relief Carving (ie into a surface) I highly recommend looking at her suggested set as a starting point. I do a fair bit of carving and they are mainly what I use - although she doesn't have a skew on her list. Only other one I've added recently is a fine (3mm) flat, which is very good for detail work.

[@claybowser698]

I've been carving since 1999. My most favorite wood to carve is black walnut. The bevel on a carving tool burnishes black walnut so cleanly with no sanding necessary. In my opinion Pfeil tools are the best with Lamp brand being a close second. For me the tools I use more than any are #2 straight gouges. I mean a full set of #2s, from the tiniest to the largest. One can do most any carving using just #2s. I also use a 12mm V tool quite a bit, and some # 5's straight gouges. Straight chisels come in handy but a single bevel straight is better than a double bevel. With a single bevel straight chisel you pretty much get two tools for the price of one by flipping it over and cutting with the back side. I personally believe when a person is learning to carve they should force themselves to use only straight chisels and gouges because it teaches you to maximize your skill with those tools. After a person gets good with the straight tools then worry about curved tools. I really mainly only use a mallet when I am roughing in. Proper tool grip and sharp blades are essential. Chris Pye has really really excellent books on carving that are most informative. All of his carving books, really. He's quite skilled at instructions on technique. I started with just a small handful of tools and now I have about 190 or so and I definitely use them but they are certainly not needed for getting started. Basswood is a great wood for a beginner carver. Learning to properly sharpen is easily as important as learning to carve. I love the Tormek sharpener for getting an initial proper bevel angle. I personally like my tools to have a bevel angle of about 27 degrees. Most I've seen like to have a shallower angle but my blades stay sharper longer in harder woods like black walnut.

[@rich-ard-style6996]

Thank you for your extensive explanations. It helps a beginner👍🏻

[@danig75]

I think this it the first reviewer that is not afraid to expose garbage tools, you get my vote

[@davestringer1919]

Thank for making this I am just starting carving and feel overwhelmed with the choose of tools

[@bobberry6028]

As a long-time carver, you need to determine what you want to carve. Is it big stuff like log carving or is it small things like relief carving? It is hard to do small things like a caricature with a 20mm #8 gouge or it takes a long time to do a log with a 4mm #4 gouge. Pick your size first and then go from there.

[@kdb_1978]

I bought a 6 pc Two Cherries starter set last winter after watching some of your reviews. I was not dissapointed and have since bought more than a few antique tools made from England to Germany to France. A rabbit hole I have become. Thank you.

[@johnjude2685]

I'm beginning and end noticed carving tools match up to the size of the job you're doing. So a perfect set we must know for what job size Thanks

[@JeffreyLyman]

I love how many methods there are for wood carving. I've been at it for about 15 years and I barely touch my bench chisels or my skew chisel. I suppose this is probably because I started with a knife and find that much easier to use 99% of the time. For most of your audience I bet the opposite is true though. All around excellent advice as always!

[@robohippy]

I think carving chisel sets are like lathe tool sets. You will use a couple of them, and most of the rest gather dust.... Got a whole box full at a garage sale for a dollar or two apiece. that was worth it!

[@AlbertD711]

I made the mistake of buying a set. They are Pfiel but just like you said, of the dozen tools I only use 4 or 5 so far. I’m just learning now and will add tools as I need them.

[@AdrianDecaux]

I love you channel man!! love your humor, please, never change!!

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Thanks man. I'll keep them coming

[@PaulSmith-rd8yc]

Got a few carving sets. Much given to me or I’ve come across cheap. Being blind it’s quite hard to do carving now are used to draw lines and shapes onto boards but have a job to do that. Got to find out the technique how to do it loves carving

[@wouterengels7769]

For those of you in Europe: prices for Pfeil seem to be much lower on this side of the pond. I checked out my regular, but not particularly cheap, tool site for the v-tool James suggests: it's less than 40€ incl vat.

[@patrickdingman1521]

I enjoyed the video! Great tip about NOT buying the HB "chisels"👍👍

[@Hansenomics]

I have been craving a carving video!

[@doczoff5655]

Great vid James, thank you! An argument for restoring vintage carving tools is that IF you can afford the time to restore them, you will absolutely ' know' your tools. I totally accept your point that buying vintage is a lottery, and it's likely that a vintage tool buyer will end up with a cache of unrestored tools that are waiting for some love. At this point your advice to "buy as you need them" becomes "restore as you need them" (but this will inevitably slow down starting that next exciting carving project). Cost and availability of vintage tools are also factors to consider... I am very lucky to be living in the UK, where there's a very good chance that cheap rusty car-boot purchases will clean up to expose an old 'made in Sheffield' stamp. Restoring vintage carving chisels and gouges will also give you the confidence to start modifying tools to better fit your purpose. Have you maybe ended up with several old 1/4 inch bench chisels? With some careful grinding and honing you can repurpose one into a skew chisel to match the one shown by James, and if you then find that maybe the angle of skew isn't quite right for you, you can tweak it until it feels perfect in your hand (yes you could similarly regrind a new Pfeil skew chisel in the same way, but you've just paid a lot of money for a quality finished tool, taking it to the grinder would be heresy!!). You'll also have confidence to fix a previously restored tool if you then drop it on that concrete floor, which is kinda comforting (you know, once you've finally managed to quell the tears and you can stop cussing yourself!)

[@markp6062]

Great video! As always, good information presented with a bit of fun and games. Hope your editor gets to feeling better. 😉😉

[@andrewking1122]

Just make sure you don’t confuse carving knives with carving chisels. They are a totally different type of woodworking.

[@fixmastermike913]

Thanks! I needed this video. My wife got me a Beavercraft carving set for Christmas and I’ve been procrastinating getting started.

[@doczoff5655]

I've seen some comments that Beavercraft tools don't hold their edge well, but I've used Beavercraft carving knives for a couple of years and (as James recommends) I find that if I strop them frequently the edge remains excellent even when carving seasoned oak. I'm terrible for procrastinating, sometimes I've just gotta jump in by picking up a scrap and start randomly carving and see where it goes? I did exactly that recently and spent a happy hour carving an abstract 'thing'... when my wife saw it she said "Oh wow... a Halloween ghost, that'll look great when it's painted white with black eye holes!". "Err... yes of course that's what it is dear, I'm glad you like it!". :)

[@mastaL91]

I asked for a set from BC for Christmas too! 😆 Wife just said to send a link of what I want. I can't wait to make spoons lol

[@MrBadiay]

Thank you, just needed this video to dive into the rabbit hole!

[@BdotRASS]

Not quite as in depth as relief carving, but when first trying out inlays I started with a scalpel and a ground allen key as a chisel. I did eventually upgrad my allen key to a small homemade chisel-shaped chisel.

[@danaringquist9730]

So true about only needing a couple of chisels. But for $40 and a couple of hours at a woodworking store ya, I need another one so my other ones have company. 60 years old and a widower I have nobody else to spend money on so a new chisel or a model kit every month for one is just fine. 😊

[@onedudeonehammer]

Thanks for all your great tips and advice! You know your stuff.

[@stantilton2191]

I have a set of those harbor freight things. Given as a X-mas gift, OMG they are bad! I may as a blacksmith, try and reforge them into useable tools. Great video, thank you. Very helpful!

[@Nonameplz_]

I was looking at the set in the thumbnail last night!!!!

[@paulbartholomew8697]

Thanks so much for this: I used your advise for buying starter tools for my daughter. Your advice is perfect! Danke!

[@elsuenodejuan-thedreamsofj4251]

A single chisel, ist posible. to make a very interesting carving.. My greeting from Chile.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Honestly about 50% of the carvings I do or with just one chisel. But I do use that one chisel in 95% of the carvings I make.

[@A2woodArt]

Generally agree, but you still want to have a variety of gouges. You can do a lot with bench chisel, but it is not as easy or as good. All specialty tools just make certain operation trivial and precise. I don’t have many, but usually most of them getting some use. Especially, all rounded ones are always in use in addition to v-tool. And final word. It really really really depends on the projects. So, either buy gouges for the project or buy a set and create a project for the gouges you got.

[@tablighibayans]

Thank you sir, for sharing your expertise with us. You've won a subscribe

[@TheGuruNetOn]

01:20 bench chisel 03:00 vtool, gouge, skew, carving knife. Every other tool is basically a gouge variant.

[@MCsCreations]

Really excellent tips, James! Thanks a bunch! 😃 And I believe I have a small set somewhere... That someone sent me. 🤔 😉 Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@J.A.Smith2397]

I got that same white roll, can't remember the name but new company

[@MatthewOkonsky]

Loved the attic pun!

[@sonamcilitsang5841]

Very helpful information. Thank you sir 😇🙏💯🙌

[@Kev6764]

Thank you for posting this, sir!

[@2logj]

amazingly honest review and advise.

[@mr.e0311]

Good stuff

[@MK-ye1wj]

Helpful tip James. Did your wife hear you say you bought several rolls of chisels you didn't need? ;-)

[@billhatcher2984]

You need to show what gouge for what it is used for most of us don't know what we need for what we are doing

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

When it comes to coaches you just match the radius to the radius you want to create. There is no list of uses for them. And that's why I generally say don't buy a set because you never know which one you're going to need.

[@fembotheather3785]

The problem with Schaaf chisels as beginner chisels is that the 12 pc set contains a lot of chisels that need an almost complete reworking, just to get them to work as carving tools. Most of the gouges, as shipped have bevels so steep that the tool has to be held almost straight up before the cutting edge contacts the wood. A beginner wants to be carving, and having to spend hours to get their new tool into shape to just function (if they're even equipped to do it) may put them off trying. They're better off getting something simple like Beavercraft or Flexcut, which just need basic sharpening before they can be carving, and later, they can decide if they want to invest in something prettier and better.

[@mikeevans3766]

You are generally correct in the statements in the video and it is one of the better videos I have seen regarding carving tools and beginning carving. The only weakness is failure to consider the diversity of woodcarving styles/types and the categories of tool types to support them. Your video addressed tools and techniques generally used in decorative relief and architectural carving (and did it well) but generally ignored "flat plane" figure carving, green wood knife-based carving or sculptural carving. As in all other forms of woodwork, the type of work must direct the choice of tools. The video reflects your experience/approach of doing traditional hand tool woodworking (and rightfully so), mostly in the form of furniture and shop projects and then using basic carving as decorative enhancements. Most woodworking can be accomplished with a relatively small set of tools but the experience is enhanced, and the work often made better or more efficient, if additional tools and techniques are applied. Carving is no exception, and while you can carve with a minimum set of tools (or a tool), having a variety not only affects the work but adds to the experience and (over time) the practiced skills of the craftsman. To that end, having a relatively small variety of quality tools that are "tried and true" by practitioners aids the carver and only enhances the experience. You can add tools "one-at-a-time", at a greater cost-per-tool but I have found that some manufacturers, including many of the expensive, and some less expensive, respected brands, offer sets that have been thoughtfully selected by professionals which present a significant cost savings over individual tool purchases. I would compare it to a cabinetmaker buying, and trying to make do with a half-inch chisel instead of buying a three or four piece set of chisels for the shop. The work may normally only require that half-inch chisel but as the scope of work increases the likelihood of making good use of all of the chisels in the set increases. Buying a limited set of professionally selected carving tools makes increased sense if the manufacturer is selling good tools at a relatively reasonable price and the alternative is to either buy fewer, much more expensive individual tools as needed or a much more expensive similar collective set. The Schaaf set shown represents a good, useful, variety at a price comparable to just three or four individual tools of the higher priced brands. While the "fit and finish" may not be quite as good as the expensive brands, they are pretty darn close and with minimum preparation will give the user a variety of fine tools at a fraction of the price of the competition. You may not have an immediate use for all of the profiles but you may need them for your next project. It really isn't a bad idea to have that seldom used (by you) tool available, especially if it can be acquired at minimum cost. As for me, there isn't a carving tool in my set that I haven't been tickled to have in the shop. Additionally, I have found that they perform as well for me as any of my "expensive" other brands. It isn't a brand issue but simply a matter of "bang for the buck" and I would argue that the overall experience is greatly enhanced for a beginning carver at a minimum of expense. Thanks for all of the excellent videos and for promoting the concept that it isn't really about the tools or the end products as much as it is about the enjoyment of the making/woodworking process and how that affects us and our connections to others. It is the joy and satisfaction of discovery, accomplishment, and the sharing of that experience that really matters. God bless and have fun.

[@ClaytonLovendale]

I get what he's saying you build your kit as your need dictates, good advce.

[@davidpetersen4208]

Love the shirt

[@michaeldoto4673]

Another excellent teacher is PETER FOLLANSBEE. He has a KZbin channel with a lot of videos.

[@mattpage9826]

James, have you seen the Schaaf bench chisels yet? Just grabbed a set, but I havent taken them to a wetstone or wood yet. About 30 bucks right now at the jungle store.

[@mattpage9826]

For 4. forgot to mention that

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I have wanted to add them to the test list but have not yet

[@mattpage9826]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo I'm looking forward to your results. My first set of bench chisels was recommended by Rex, Then I bought a set of Narex premium, without handles, and because I have a problem, I just got these Schaaf.

[@rafaelramos1486]

Interesting ;nice video

[@HonedByJones]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@HonedByJones]

P.s. Here's one for the end of your video. I was gonna get into carving but eventually my excitement just... chiseled.

[@grahamcairns2249]

Fantastic video!!

[@alexwgoody]

What size v tool? Was thinking that rather than the suggested Narex I would buy a single high end (pfeill?) v tool, then add one by one based on project needs

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Usually I like something around 60° with a 3 to 6 mm wall.

[@TheSawdustChronicles]

I wonder if I should buy that Harbor Frieght set of gauges.... 🤣

[@JaspisB]

Great video!

[@Peter-od7op]

Hi i am going to try and relief carving on my kibler flint lock kit. He gives a list if chisels to use how would i find this list as a kit ty. I also will ask kibler ty for your vdo

[@JeanMinutile]

I think I can guess from the video but I'll ask anyway. I want to give surface carving a go and I figured I need a V-Tool. I can easily get my hand on a 2 cherries V-tool for 20€ or a narex woodcarving set of 5 chisels (the one your talking on your video small with the bent steel) for 40€. Which option would you go for if you were beginning ?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Get the two cherries. You will be much much happier in the long run.

[@tbonson2581]

Agreed. Two Cherries are good quality. The difference in going with a quality brand like Two Cherries is how long your edge will last. Better brands will have better edge retention.

[@JeanMinutile]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo I finally went with a pfeil v- tool as it's not much more expensive than the 2 cherries here in France 🙂

[@doriWyo]

Is there a specific video in which you correct a chisel that was dropped on the floor?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I have several videos on sharpening. But I don't have one on grinding it back.

[@doriWyo]

Well, let's hope you never do!

[@dallashall2585]

I'm a beginner carver looking to make a shogi set with a board. It has small kanji on the pieces and board. What tools do you recommend? The pieces are roughly 1.25" x 1.

[@jonlavigne3270]

Schaff has a 4 piece set on their Amazon store. However, I was at Michael’s with my wife the other day and they have an Xacto set for about the same price ($50). Can I assume the Xacto set isn’t worth that?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Yes. Those are pretty much trash. There one step up from the harbor freight set.

[@theajthomas]

Are there some kinds of wood you recommend that are a little easier to work when getting into carving? I know basswood is super easy but anything else?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

If you want easier then bass wood is the best. But poplar can be a very easy wood.

[@theajthomas]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo Thanks!

[@vogonpoet5860]

good vid, there are lots of cheap, ultra cheap, thin steel carving sets out there that would struggle to carve butter let alone wood, some good advice, but I have to ask as you were unclear, whats your advice on buying carving chisels from harbour freight ? THANKS !

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Lol I will have to emphasize that point next time.

[@John-eb1dk]

Great video! Where did you find the large tool roll in your video? How many gouges does it hold? Are they for sale?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

It is one I made a while ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIqYnoWIoN6Eq5o I think it can hold like 30ish chisels.

[@Tony-Tech]

I knew a guy who used to be an attic, but he is getting rid of all of his chisels, so now he's a cellar.

[@rickm5165]

Good video

[@royshaw9299]

What is the best wood use for beginners?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

That depends on you. Bass wood is considered the be the easiest wood to learn on. but if you learn better through struggle and jumping in on the deep end then I would try something like oak or ash.

[@Original_Old_Farmer]

Comment filler. Question for the next general Ask the Wright Question is this: Would an old fashioned butcher block, the type in a meat department make for a good work bench?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

It would be a small one but it'd be a good bench as long as the legs on it were solid

[@stevenjohnson2231]

Love the channel and another fantastic video! Where did you get that chisel roll?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

I made that one a few years ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIqYnoWIoN6Eq5o

[@stevenjohnson2231]

Thank you!

[@georgeb.wolffsohn30]

There's no such thing as a "full" set of carving tools. As you learn you will find the need for specific shapes you currently own.

[@pibiri2184]

wich are the chissels you recomend for hardwood

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

when it comes to carving there is no difference between hard wood and soft wood. one is just harder to push through then the other.

[@pibiri2184]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo i have 2 cherries chissels but they are grinded at a 17dregrees angle wich is not good if i want to use them for hard wood . and i dont want to regrind a bevel on them

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

17 is fine for hard wood. just try not to lever with them. The angle recommendations for hard vs soft are optimal uses, but are not necessary. I sharpen all of mine by eye some ware between 20 and 17 degrees. the finer the angle the easer it is to push but the more delicate the edge is. the wider the angle the longer the edge will last but the harder it is to push.

[@pibiri2184]

@@WoodByWrightHowTo thank you for the anwser and taking your time to anwser my question much appreciated

[@andrewbrimmer1797]

What about rifflers?

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

Those are down the road a ways as well. I have a few videos on those as well.

[@DillyDally024]

Cormorant

[@clydedecker765]

LOVE Mary May but I would NEVER allow MY name anywhere NEAR mention of her. She's palace and I'm garbage skow. However I find it difficult to learn how she "feels" the various depths to carve her objects I don't deserve to have her occupy a single little gray cell on me. Watching her hurts because every stroke is creating beauty. From the first time I saw her on Roy Underhill, I remembered her name and her parents too. A great rarity for me to have anyone's name burned in the very instant I first heard it.

[@jnodidrickson3460]

Sorry, hook knife, adze and stump is all you need

[@roydaley3413]

👍

[@chagildoi]

Comment down below

[@ricardoramirezmartinez6260]

Two cherries are the best brand

[@MartinPaulsen87]

exposure generation comment!

[@MindBodyMuse]

Haha… couple of double takes (miss-edits?)

[@pauldecker60]

They are not chisels, they are gouges. As a carver I cringe when beginners try to teach and can’t even reference the name of the tools they are using.

[@WoodByWrightHowTo]

A gouge is a chisel. Not every chisel is a gouge though.

[@maxautumn]

Take you