Replies

1. 
   RickL | Feb 21, 2006 08:01pm | #1

   There's a number of good books out there that will tell you everything you need to get started. http://www.woodcentral.com has a dedicated carving forum and there's no shortage of carving site and places that sell tools online. The best carving magazine is from England. They sell it at Barnes and Noble in my area.

   http://www.stobartdavies.com

    

   http://www.cambiumbooks.com

   Do a google search on carving.

1. 
   vwoodshop | Feb 21, 2006 08:18pm | #2

   Thanks for your help.V Woodshop

1. 
   Crocusboy | Feb 24, 2006 08:23am | #3

   Don't do what I did, which was to buy a full set... only to find that I use 3 of the knives and watch the other 9 sit there collecting dust all of the time!

   Buy only the ones you need and expand your collection as the need arises.

   Marty

1. 
   vwoodshop | Feb 26, 2006 01:49am | #4

   great idea..thanksV Woodshop

2. 
   Napie | Mar 01, 2006 05:47am | #5

   I've never seen a true Morris chair with any carving.  As to tools, avoid sets and just get the ones you need based on your design.

3. 
   Oregonsmith | Mar 01, 2006 07:33am | #6

   Several of the old tool makers have fine blades (the ones that have survived to now are the ones that cut well). New tools are often made to maximize profit, but the best I have experienced are "swiss made" from Woodcrafter Supply. I agree with earlier comments about buying only the tools you see you need. As your experience grows, the "need" will expand. One at a time feels expensive, but a tool not used is very expensive. Enjoy the keen edge. George

4. 
   BG | Mar 01, 2006 02:56pm | #7

   vWoodshop,
   Lee Grindinger is a contributor here and has helped many of us get started. Take a look at his website and note an article on chisel design and "Lee's Dirty Dozen"...
   http://furniturecarver.com/carving.html

   another interesting website is listed below..

   
   

   ---

   Edited 3/1/2006 6:58 am ET by BG

1. 
   BG | Mar 01, 2006 02:59pm | #8

   ..see if this works...

5. 
   twin | Mar 01, 2006 06:27pm | #9

   I don't know where you live but most places have an organized carving group, or club. generally they can be found through a local woodworking store or on-line. I have found them to be very generous in offering suggestions and help, and a lot offer carving classes, at very low coat and sometimes free.

6. 
   JayS | Mar 01, 2006 07:28pm | #10

   I generally avoid "Woodcraft" since I think they are overpriced, but the Pfeil or Swissmade brand is the best out there.  They are well finished, and razor sharp out of the box. They have octagonal handles so they don't roll off the bench.  I agree, you should buy what you need for a particular project and accumulate as you go.

   Jay

1. 
   gb93433 | Mar 08, 2006 02:36am | #11

   I have bought quite a number of Henry Taylor tools over the years from Alec Tiranti Ltd. (http://www.tiranti.co.uk/) out of England and also directly from Henry Taylor Tools, Ltd. (http://www.henrytaylortools.co.uk/) especially when the dollar was high and the pound was low.They also have a list of vendors in the US at http://www.henrytaylortools.co.uk/suppliers.html

2. 
   SteveSchoene | Aug 10, 2006 03:18pm | #15

   Woodcraft is certainly over-priced on the Pfeil Swiss-made carving tools.  Do a bit of a search and you can find several Canadian on-line sellers who will ship them to you in the US for dramatically lower prices. 

1. 
   mgumaer | Aug 11, 2006 01:57am | #16

   Steve, Probably about 6 months ago, Woodcraft lowered their prices on Pfeil tools. I'm sure they were getting killed by mail order. They're probably still a little cheaper purchaseing from Canada but there is not the extreme difference that used to exist (particularly if your picking up one or two tools at a time---less tools to spread out shipping costs).Matt

2. 
   JayS | Aug 11, 2006 03:56am | #17

   I am not in the market for any carving tools at the moment. I have about 20 tools and  seem to be able to carve just about anything with them, although there are lots of profiles and sizes I don't have. I would appreciate it while you are thinking about it if you could suggest a specific Canadian supplier with who you have dealt, who you would recommend.  (just for future refrence.)

   Thanks.

   Jay

1. 
   jazzdogg | Aug 12, 2006 06:37pm | #18

   This is a Canadian supplier from whom several folks at school have purchased carving tools:

   http://www.kmstools.com/

    -Jazzdogg-

   "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie

2. 
   QCInspector | Aug 12, 2006 09:05pm | #19

   http://www.woodcarvingsupplies.com/Here is another Canadian supplier of carving tools that you may want to look into.

7. 
   bigfootnampa | Mar 22, 2006 05:08am | #12

   The Henry Taylor tools have better steel than the Swiss made but their tools are often poorly shaped with thick edges (sometimes uneven).  They require a LOT more careful work to get them ready to use.  I have mostly Swiss made.  I do have a couple of Henry Taylor tools though and they are favorites because their edges get sharper and stay sharp longer.  About a 5 sweep gouge in 3/8" to 5/8" width will rough out most carvings.  You'll find that you'll use them for around 90 percent of your work... so start with one or two like that and then pick up one or two more as you find the need to make more specialized cuts.

1. 
   Oldtool | Aug 08, 2006 02:58am | #13

   I was talking to a clerk at Woodcraft and he told me their first line of tools were Swiss, and their second line was H.Taylor, but said Taylor had a better line than what they carried. From this I gathered that H.Taylor has a good line also that is sharp and polished if you want to pay the Swiss price.

1. 
   bigfootnampa | Aug 08, 2006 03:27am | #14

   If so I've never seen them anywhere.  I do like their steel better though.  It does rust easier than the swiss tools steel.  Cuts better too.