Start Carving The Proper Way – Get The Best Wood Carving Tool
Wood carving is an art that requires a tremendous amount of smoothness and finesse. There are various types of this craft, such as whittling, relief Carving, carving in the round, and chip carving, and neither of these forms necessitate any sort of set up or expensive equipment. The main thing they have in common is that they all require the best wood carving tool you can get your hands on in order to be done properly.
This American made set of wood carving tools comes in a sturdy wooden box that is specifically designed to provide you with a wide range of capabilities that are applicable to different types of carving.
The set includes 5 sharp knives and 4 palm tools. The knives consist of a Cutting Knife, a Detail Knife, a Pelican Knife, and a Mini Detail Knife. The palm tools set is comprised of a skew, a V tool, and 3 sharp gouges that come in different sizes and curvatures. The tools are extremely sharp and require no extra honing before use, and the handles are sturdy and allow for easy gripping and maneuvering.
The tools in this set are especially adept at carving small items out, making this box the prefect starter kit for people trying to get into wood carving.
This is another set that is advertised as a beginner’s introduction to the world of wood carving. It is one of the most affordable products reviewed in this list and features a wide variety of tools and accessories that makes it an irresistible bargain for anyone looking to get into wood carving on a small budget.
The tools are forged out of high quality SK5 Carbon Steel with a layer of electrolytic coating. They consist of 12 sizes-deep gouge, medium gouge, shallow gouge, narrow straight chisel, wide straight chisel, rounded chisel, 4 angled knives / chisels, parting tool, all easy to use and specifically designed for beginners of all ages. The handles are well crafted out of top quality wood and provide easy non-slip gripping.
The manufacturer guarantees full customer satisfaction and offers a lifetime money back warranty after purchase.
3 – Kirschen 3441000 11-piece Carving Tools In Wood Box
This German made set comes in an exquisitely built wooden box that contains 10 wood carving tools and a sharpening stone. It is the most expensive product reviewed in this list, and is advertised as being a luxury introduction to wood carving.
The 10 tools that comprise the set are designed to be operable on different types of wood carving projects ranging from chip carving and whittling, to relief carving. The box includes 6 carving tools and four carving knives that are entirely hand forged out of top grade reinforced steel and are heat-treated to 61° Rockwell, ensuring their long lasting sharpness and sturdiness. The handle has an octagonal shape that allows for easy gripping and prevents the tool from easily rolling off of a table.
The only downside lf this product is the price. It is quite expensive for a tool that is geared towards beginners.
4 – Mikisyo Power Grip Carving Tools, 7 Piece Set
This affordable set comes in a small light box and includes various types of tools that are surprisingly sharp out the box and heavy duty considering the price. This set meets all the minimum requirements and offers great value for the price. It is ideal for getting started in wood carving on a budget.
The set is comprised of a 3mm (1/8″) No 9 gouge, a 6mm (1/4″) No 8 gouge, a 7.5mm (5/16″) skew chisel, a 7.5mm (5/16″) straight chisel, a 4.5mm (3/16″) V-parting tool, a 9mm (3/8″) No 5 gouge and a 9mm (3/8″) No 3 gouge. The unique design of the handle coupled with the small blade makes these tools a sort of transition from regular palm handled to full size carving tools. The handle is extremely comfortable and resistant to corrosion, and it enables you to easily grip the tool.
5 – Mikisyo Power Grip Carving Tools, Five Piece Set
This compact 5 piece set comes in a small plastic box that serves as a practical holder when opened. It is accessibly priced and consists of the basic tools required to adequately perform a wide variety of wood carving projects. They make for a great beginner’s set.
The tools included in the box are 3mm No 9 gouge, a 6mm No 8 gouge, a 7.5mm skew chisel, a 7.5mm straight chisel, and a 4.5mm v-parting tool. The blades are sufficiently sharp thanks to their laminated steel forging. The handles are non-slip and have a unique design that bridges the aspects of conventional palm handled tools with those of the full size carving tools.
This set is meant to serve as an introductory tool to wood carving, so advanced projects such as hardwood carving are not advisable. Additionally, some of the gouges will become dull after extended usage.
6 – Xacto X5175 Deluxe Woodcarving Set
This is a remarkably cheap set that covers all the bases when it comes to wood carving. It comes in a very light and compact box that includes tools that are designed for three dimensional carving, deep relief carving, and whittling. It also comes with a wooden chest.
The tools included in the box are able to meet any wood carving requirement and consist of a no. 5 knife handle, 6 assorted blades, 5 gouges and 4 routers. The No 5 knife features a No. 24 blade that is ideal for de-burring, a No.18 for heavy wood chiseling, an extra angled No.19, a large No.22 blade designed for carving, a No. 26 whittling blade, and finally a very sturdy No.27 saw blade.
The set is about as it comprehensive as it gets and only requires some light honing and sharpening after the tools are taken out of the box.
This North American made kit is advertised as being for kids and beginners and is supposed to serve as a safe and enticing introduction to the world of wood carving. It comes in small plastic bag that contains 12 different tools and a bonus beginners’ guide of 26 stencils for your first projects.
The 12 tools that form the set are highly durable and made out of SK5 carbon steel with electrolytic coating. They’re comprised of a deep gouge, a medium gouge, a shallow gouge, a narrow straight chisel, a wide straight chisel, a rounded chisel, a set of 4 angled knives / chisels, a parting tool, and a pinpoint tool. The tools don’t come sharpened, so some mild honing is required after they’re taken out of the package.
This set comes with a lifetime 100 % money back guarantee.
8 – Wood Carving Chisel Set- Professional Wood Carving Tools
This versatile set from Sculpt Pro comes in a very compact package with 18 different pieces that allow for a wide range of wood carving projects. Included with the packaging is a convenient carrying case that serves as a holder for the tools.
The blades are made out of good grade stainless steel and are sharp enough to carve through most types of wood. The tools that comprise the set consist of 3 files and 15 8 inch chisels. The handles are made out of robust wood and prevent slipping while enabling you to grip the tool with ease. The chisels are designed in different shapes and sizes to allow a wide variety of wood carving applications.
As it is the case with most affordable sets in this price range, the blades will require some sharpening after extended usage.
9 – Professional Wood Carving Chisel Set
This set comes in a slickly designed box that contains 12 different pieces and a practical carrying case that stores the tools and facilitates their maintenance and transport. It has an entry level price point and is marketed as the ideal introduction to wood carving for beginners.
The 12 tools that form the set are a round nose chisel, a skew wood turning chisel, three straight gouges of different sizes and curvatures, a V-straight parting tool, a bent chisel, a wood chisel, two straight chisels, and a pointed wood chisel.
The blades are made out of good quality hardened carbon steel and are sharp straight out of the box and predisposed to withstand long term usage.. The handles are made out of heavy duty wood, making them resistant to the effects of erosion and easy to grip when undertaking projects that require steady hands.
10 – Beginner’s Carving Tools
This small American made set from Ramelson is a premium quality kit that serves as a comprehensive initiation to wood carving for aspiring hobbyists. It includes 6 pieces that offer a wide array of applications.
The 6 tools featured in the set consist of a 3/8″ chisel, a 3/8″ skew, a 3/8″ bent chisel, a 9/64″ straight gouge, a 5/16″ bent gouge and a 9/64″ bent V-parting tool. The blades are made out of exceedingly sturdy high carbon steel and require no honing or sharpening after being taken out of the box. The handles are made out of high end hardwood and are resistant to any form of erosion of discoloring. They are sufficiently long enough to control during projects that require detailed carving.
Unlike many sets geared towards beginners, this particular product is resilient and versatile enough to be recommended for seasoned wood carvers.
The market for wood carving tools can prove a little bit tough to navigate for a novice buyer. It is inundated with subpar sets masquerading as premium and complete thanks to clever marketing, and sets that are of good quality but aren’t fully compatible with what you are looking for.
In order to be able to sift through this confusing number of options, you imperatively have to make sure that these minimum standards and requirements are met:
Durability
The best wood carving tool should be crafted to last, so the materials that went into the making of the blade and handle should be top quality.
The sweep
It refers to the degree of curvature on the cutting edge. It is expressed in numerical values that increase with the curve.
The handle
It must have a robust design that allows for easy gripping. The octagonal shaped handles are especially practical since they are not only easy to grip; they also prevent the tool from rolling off of a table
Price
Expensive doesn’t always mean better, but when it comes to wood carving tools, you shouldn’t take the risk of settling for a cheaply made unit. Expect a good set to cost upwards of $25.
While the aspects discussed above are helpful in giving you a baseline understanding of what to look for when buying wood carving tools, finding the right set is not exactly a straightforward process. The manufacturers will market their sets as versatile, but the tools will vary significantly depending on whether you want them for sign carving or sculpting.
It is best to ask a professional about the tools they’re using to get a better idea of what set you need. If that option is not available to you, the buyer reviews on Amazon are a good alternative.
