Yet another opinion based question!! :)

[mikeg]

Has anybody used the dockyard micro tools? If so, did you like them? I saw them on-line and then saw them, packaged, at the one carving show I've been to so far. Their handles are much smaller than I'm used to as are their working ends. The carvings I've been doing so far are small. The biggest one I've done so far was out of a 2x2x3 inch block of wood. The biggest tools I've got so far are a 1/4' gouge and a 1/4' v-tool.

These look interesting but since I can't play before I buy, I'd appreciate any and all opinions. Here's a url to them.

http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/...B9F77A6CBA1768

Man! That's a long address, I hope it works for you all!

thanks once again!
mikeg

I've got all the gouges and V tools and three sizes of the
chisels and I think they call them ploughs. The gouges
are nice for detail work. The rest I don't really care for.

I have to agree with Ed, I use the 'Gouge set' nearly every day; but can not recommend the other sets.

The gouges have a small offset in the tool shank that makes them very useful. Being #11 gouges, they also make perfect circular holes when pressed straight into the wood.

They are easy to sharpen on a moving abrasive because they are a circular gouge; all you do is hold the tool at the correct angle and rotate the handle.

Being so small, they do wear out eventually, I am on my third set.

The price varies greatly on these sets; usually $40-$60.

I depend completely on Dockyard gouges/veiners/whatever to do my Santa beards. I can't imagine carving without them.

BUT .... I disagree (here's a first ) with Rick in Seattle....
they are NOT easy to sharpen. Nothing is easy to sharpen.

But then Nancy you are not Rick. From all that I have heard sharpening Guru. I know from experience myself some gouges I can sharpen no problem others give me nightmares. Then there are those who can sharpen just about anything and Rick seems to be that person. When I get out to meet him on the west coast I am taking all my tools with me.
Colin

[Cut_Fingers]

Thanks Mikeg for the question.

Most of my carvings are about the same size as yours. I have also been looking for a small set of v-tool & gouges.

Based on the responses so far, It sounds like this may be a good set for me.

Jim

I've used the basic set for several years, and find them super. They work great on the detailed carvings on my ship models. Was also using them today on some detail on a dragon that I'm almost finished.

I noticed that they have several more shapes and sizes now......great, I was hoping they would expand on the basic set, there are some corners I just have a struggle with.

Thanks for the tip.

Bob