Carving tools?

[Justin]

Regarding the skew chisels, do you recommend a single or double beveled variety? I'd like to add one to my collection.

[SingleMalt]

I have one of each.

[Bill Raby]

Regarding the skew chisels, do you recommend a single or double beveled variety? I'd like to add one to my collection.

I prefer single bevel skews, but I could not give you a specific reason why. They just seem to be a bit easier to use.

[Mike Brooks]

Regarding the skew chisels, do you recommend a single or double beveled variety? I'd like to add one to my collection.

I don't use either.

[Justin]

I have one of each.

Are you a salesman at Woodcraft?

[smallpatch]

I prefer double bevel.

[SingleMalt]

I have one of each.

Are you a salesman at Woodcraft?

Nope.  You did ask.   

[deepcreekdale]

Another suggestion if you are starting out, Check out local flea markets. Usually there is somebody selling old tools. I have bought handfuls of chisels and gouges, some of outstanding quality and never spent more than a few dollars. You will quickly get an eye for quality steel, Get a few nice quality 1/4 inch chisels, you can grind into any sort of skew chisel or dogleg chisel you can imagine. I paid 25 cents for my favorite 1/4 inch chisel, it is a Buck Brothers and I use it the most of all my tools. I have played around with others and made gouges or bull nose chisels.  Then you can start adding Pfeil gouges from Woodcraft as you need them. Stay away from sets, they look like a savings but you WILL end up with tools you never use.

[Bill Raby]

What I figured out is that as you get better at carving, you realize that it is also possible to carve things other than guns. You always hear advise to stay away from the sets because there will be a few in there that you never use. Its more accurate to say that there will be a few that you will not use very often, but be glad that you have eventually. If you are putting together a set specifically for guns then stick with the basics. Get the rest later. Those oddball ones come in handy every now and then.

[P.W.Berkuta]

What I figured out is that as you get better at carving, you realize that it is also possible to carve things other than guns. You always hear advise to stay away from the sets because there will be a few in there that you never use. Its more accurate to say that there will be a few that you will not use very often, but be glad that you have eventually. If you are putting together a set specifically for guns then stick with the basics. Get the rest later. Those oddball ones come in handy every now and then.

Now this is sound advise -- I have done this from the very beginning of my work back in the 60's . My dad bought me my first set of Gunline chisels in 1965 and I have added to them whenever I need something different. I have also made chisels from small files and O-1 tool steel. I think I have over 50 at this time - you can never have too many tools !!!

[dogcatcher]

Spend a lot of time practicing on like wood, if the stock is maple, buy a piece of maple and carve your design in it.  A  piece of maple from the lumberyard is a lot cheaper than a gunstock blank.  It will teach you techniques and help with muscle memory.  But most importantly it will help you learn how to sharpen your chisels.  What a new carver thinks is a sharp chisel, is usually a dull chisel. 

I believe in buying the sets, the savings usually save enough to cover the costs of one or more of the chisels/gouges.  You may not ever use the extra, but sometimes they can be repurposed by changing the shape of the grind.  Over the years, I have eventually used the "extra" chisels, either as is or as a repurposed chisel.