Tool Selection

[FatEddy]

Was thinking of purchasing some tools for relief carving so I went through approx. 50 of Ivan Whitlock's carving projects and tabulated the tools he used. Here's what I got.
34 Projects
Sweeps Used: 17
Tools Used: 65
Most Used Sweeps (10 or more times):
1 - 10 times
3 - 66 times
5 - 37 times
7 - 36 times
9 - 20 times
11 - 39 times
41 - 30 times Most uses tools (10 or more times):
3 - 6mm 21 times
3 - 12 mm 16 times
3 - 16 mm 17 times
5 - 12 mm 14 times
7 - 12 mm 12 times
11 - 3 mm 21 times
41 - 12 mm 21 times
Used 5 to 9 times:
3 - 14 mm 5 times
5 - 20 mm 8 times
5 - 25 mm 6 times

7 - 20 mm 5 times
7 - 25 mm 5 times
9 - 20 mm 7 times
11 - 6 mm 5 times
Still confused, but approaching sanity anyway.

FatEddy

[FatEddy]

I can't type either, the 34 projects should read 43.

[Captain_Bandaid]

Mr. Whitlock is a professional carver and probably has been accumulating tools for many years. Having the exact right sweep to do a job is the difference between an amature and a professional. HOWEVER, Scandinavian flat plane carving utilizes just a knife. Depends on what you carve

[FatEddy]

Boy Howdy! Thought I would get some insigt into exactly what to buy. Guess I'm still pretty much on my own. Have $200 plus or minus a bit budgeted. I'm sure I can find something to spend it on at KMS in Canada. Up until now my favorite carving tool has been a model 303 Buck pocket knife. Great for what I've been doing but not a relief carving tool (I don't think).

[lorax]

200 bucks wont go as far as you'd think but you should be able to get a good little set of tools to start out with. You might think about starting with palm gouges first, they are a little cheaper, and I have seen lots of starter sets out there, Footprint makes a good set, and Pfeil has alot of palm tools (a little more expensive because they are a better tool). I woul say that the esential tools would be a 1, 3, V tool and Veiner the size you choose depends on the size of carving you want to do.

[FatEddy]

Thanks, that's going to be a big help (the sweeps and all) I'm definitly going to go with the high end tools; Pfiel, Stubai, etc. I have a couple of flexcut knives and they work great but I don't like the way they feel going through the wood (call me weird). I just whittle away happily with my pocket knife. It's handy - wife goes to the store, I sit on the tail gate and whittle. But, time to move up.

[lorax]

I'll give you an Amen on the Flexcut, I have a few collecting dust. I also spent about a year putting down a drop cloth in the living room, getting out the ol' workmate, an goin to it. It makes the wife appreciate you getting a shop set up though.

[MikeD]

I have found in my very limited experience that a few tools fit my needs. What I did was compile lists of recomendations and kits, and chose the middle middle of each type. I ended up with a 1/2' flat chisel, a shallow gouge, a few deeper gouges and a 60 deg V or parting tool, along with one roughout knife. I did buy a small palm set from Paxton first to make sure carving was something I wanted to invest in.

For my level of carving, there isn't that much difference between a cut made with a 1/2' gouge and a 5/8' gouge. Now if I were highly skilled and doing work for money there would be a big difference.

FWIW, I spent about $170.00 total for my Pfiel chisels and a Helvie knife. I want to get a detail knife, but it's not that pressing yet. So it can be done on a limited budget.

[FatEddy]

Ahhh, the wonders of the internet. There's no way I could get this much (if any) info together without it. Starting to see the daylight now. The only thing I know for sure is GET GOOD TOOLS. I've messed with mechanics and woodworking as hobbies all my 60 years and that's the one constant. Cheap will get you by, but quality always pays in the end even if you have to work with fewer of them.

[Captain_Bandaid]

FatEddy, forgive me if my first posting seemed a bit flippant, I was not sure if you were looking for advice or commenting on the bewildering array of tools available. I will add my two cents worth: buy the best you can afford. The Pfeil palm sets are superb. I have acquired 16 of them and use them more than my Pfeil Intermediate set because they offer me better control. I probably own more than I can effectively use but what the heck, I enjoy buying tools as much as using them! $200 US will get you the 12 basic palm tools and maybe a carving knife to boot! I would suggest you also buy a carving glove because the Pfeil tools come RAZOR sharp and it doesn't take but a split second to carve out a sizeable chunk of living real estate.