QUESTION FOR THE BRAIN TRUST - Carving tools

J

Justin Harrison

Active member
up to this point, i've carved my birds mostly by "power". several weeks ago, i bought a spokeshave, drawknife, and a knotts knife as i wanted to move away from all the sawdust and be able to breath while i worked.

leery of a change at first, i carved a redhead last week using both power and more traditional tools and was PLEASANTLY surprised at the enjoyment i got out of making cuts w/ the knife.

i have to give credit where credit is due.....i have spent literally HOURS viewing jode hillman's, georges strunk's and sean sutton's web pages and their work......seeing the tools they use added the needed fuel to my fire to give it a shot.

so, my question is:

what are some more tools (gouges, scoops, knives, etc etc) that i need to add to my Christmas wish list for my wife???

thanks, justin
 
Last edited:
I am just starting out carving. I am sorry I can't add any suggestions for tools but I will say that working with hand tools is therapeutic for me. I love the feel of a draw knife in my hands. I too am looking forward to seeing the responses you get.
 
Justin, I use these 6 tools to make just about every bird.

Starting from the top

1- 10" tandem curved blade drawknife. I like the curved blade as it gives you more control on your cuts. Almost allows you to use it like a spokeshave.

2-Roughing knife and detail knife. My friend Sean made the blades and I set them in antler handles. The antlers have a nice natural curve and are hard enough to never crack or split out.

3- Kansas city windsor tool works Concave spokeshave. A real workhorse of a spoke shave in a beautiful package. KCWTW is out of business and Dave's shave's make a good shave too............

4- 5/8" flexcut semi round gouge..great fro rough in eye channels etc...............

5_ Flexcut 1" shallow cut gouge. I use it for gereral purpose work. Thinning tails, hollowing etc..........not made anymore the Pfeil 8/16 mm is pretty close alternative.




You could buy a hundred tools and still want more, but usually will find you pick up the same old favorites time and again!
 
Last edited:
I really like the Flexcut line as well. They are good quality tools, reasonably priced, and made in the USA. I would get a V tool, skew, and various sweeps and sizes of gouges. I like a wide 3 sweep gouge over a chisel because you can round over an area without having to worry as much about digging the corner of the chisel into the wood. Their carving knives are nice as well. I reach for my pelican knife more than any other, especially for whittling heads. I got a set of Flexcut skew gouges last year for Christmas. It included a R & L skew 3 sweep, and a R & L skew 5 (I think) sweep. I love these tools. They work great for shearing across the grain, especially around the neck/breast transition, as well as for roughing out a bird. If you plan on hollowing birds by hand, you'll proabably find a bent gouge helpful as well. Bottom line is buy the basics first, and add to them as you can.
 
A full round Stanley Surform rasp if you can find one

A cabinetmakers rasp

A coarse 10" round file
 
THANKS to everyone except that pissant kwis schwaumbug........

seriously, i really appreciate ya'll!

-justin
 
Last edited:
I love my swiss made brand carving tools as well as my flexcut carving tools. As for knives David Lyons knives are tough to beat IMHO. Microplanes work very well depending on what you're carving as well. Worth a try. Something I've learned over my years carving is that no matter what tools you use just make sure your enjoying what you're doing. This is supposed to be a FUN pass time.
 
Sharp equals fun.
If they are not like a razor they are a real drag. But it is easier today than ever to get help on the sharp part without spending a million bucks. There are some very good demos on youtube on how to get it right there.
I like wet dry sand paper and a piece of glass or tablesaw top, then finish with automotive valve lapping compound and a piece of leather.

A buffing wheel does a number too.
 
Bob, that's my one big concern....I've never been good at getting stuff back sharp.

thanks for the youtube suggestion.......justin
Click to expand...


Keeping them sharp (maintaining the edge) is WAY easier than getting them back to sharp
 
Keeping hand tools sharp can make or break the experience. I don't have a lot of space to set up a nice shop, so I use a leather disc in my cordless drill. Just load it up with compound and buff away! I use a fine diamond hone when the edge needs retouching, which is rare if you stop and hone every 30 minutes or so.
 
Justin give me a call. I help you out on some tips. My # is on my site
Click to expand...

YOU THE MAN!!!

thanks sean!

i'm at work slinging chemo until sunday night, but i'll call the first part of next week if that's okay???

again, thanks man!

justin
 
I have had great luck with Swiss Made tools. They get really sharp and stay that way. My main tools are a large gouge #11 25mm; a 90 degree #13 30mm; 1/4", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 2" staight chisels. The big gouges are great for removing large amounts of wood fast and can be used for delicate work as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top