Best Wood Carving Tools

Wood carving is one of the most fulfilling hobbies that can be pursued professionally or just for the fun of it. It allows you to become creative and develop beautiful items from regular blocks of wood. Find out here what are some of the best wood carving tools.

Wood carving comes in several types. These include:

• Chip carving to geometric patterns,
• Relief carving (also known as two dimensional) which usually results in scenes, designs and raised characters from the background,
• Letter carving,
• Whittling,
• Carving in three dimensions,
• Form designs and caricature carving.

It is essential to source the best tools that can give you quality finishing and excellent outcomes.

For you to be able to find this hobby easy and satisfying, you need to invest in some of the best tools that are available for the profession. This investment may include both tools for hand carving or those that are powered. Hand-held tools are excellent in developing very intricate and detailed designs and also for beginners in developing. The powered carving tools make the work to be much easier and faster hence leading to more productions.

Factors to consider when purchasing wood carving tools

The different types of wood carving tools come with different specifications. It is vital to consider some fundamental factors when purchasing or sourcing for the devices.

Price

This is a common factor that you should always keep in mind when you are going to make any purchases regarding the woodwork tools. The cost of sourcing the devices should not be prohibitive, and there are always cheaper sources from which you can be able to obtain quality tools.

Quality Assurance

Before making any purchase, it is essential to check that the tools and their parts are all functioning well and are of the right quality. The checks help to determine whether the integration of the components is firm and durable.

Sharp heads

The blades and chisels that come from the manufacturers already sharpened are so far the best that you can source. The sharp heads make it easy for you to get to work right away. Some of the tools and sets typically come with a sharpener which makes it easy for you to restore sharpness.

Multiple tool-sets

Making a purchase of wood carving tools that comes with various devices is one of the best ways to make your purchases. This consideration is valid for both those who are just starting in this profession or even for experienced individuals.

Construction

The component that in use in the manufacture of the tool is an important consideration. Consider making purchases of tools that are made of carbon steel since they make the best carving tools. The construction makes it very easy for you to make carvings on any type of wood.

Security grip

The quality of the handles and the kind of finish that is on the tools is an important consideration. The consideration is evident in the tang quality, which resembles how the device is attached to its handle. Full tangs are known to be the best for the tools. The secure grip also helps to avoid the gadget from accidental sliding.

Versatility

Versatility of the tools that you are purchasing means that you can expand talent and go beyond the limitations of other devices. The versatility of a tool allows you to do more with a given tool for various projects, consider purchasing those tools that have versatility in the blades.

Types of Wood Carving Tools

The tools that are in use for wood carving are so many; hence I will try my best to mention as much as I can. This article will start from the essential tools that you are supposed to be having for wood carving. The devices are in use for various functions ranging from cutting, curving, scooping and sharpening tools as well.

Carving knives

It is one of the most widely used tools when it comes to wood carving. It has a variety of functions and applications when using different carving techniques. They usually come in different shapes and sizes and are used for pairing and cutting pieces of wood.

Hook Knife

A hook knife is used mainly for spoon carving, and the term crooked knife is its reference. It is a dominant tool for the carving of spoons because of the design and the handles. They are most effective for beginners.

Sloyd Knife

These knives are probably the best that you will find for carving or removing any rough parts on wooden surfaces. It is instrumental in making cuttings in within hollow wooden sections and in carving out the edges hence making it very helpful for spoon work.

Bench Knife

It is a specialized type of carving knife useful for tracing around any patterns on wood. It is commonly in use for carving any intricate patterns and also for scoring.

Gouge

A gouge is a tool that no beginner or professional woodcarver can be able to do without in wood carving. It is typically a chisel that has a curvature added to its cutting edge. It is generally in use in wood carving for carving out any rounds, hollows and sweeping curves. It mostly comprises of a bold head which is robust and most often used for particular purposes. The gouges come in different shapes, sizes and designs and are for making shallow and deep hollows and curves on wood.

Chisel

It is one of the most indispensable carving tools for any woodcarver. It is a tool that requires the users to train themselves in how to use it. It comes with an edge detailed for cutting over its end. They are in use for different purposes which include roughening and removing of large amounts of the wood while there are some for making tiny finer details. The shape of the chisel cutting edge and the blade width determine the style of the chisel. The most common wood carving chisel is the bevel-edged chisel.

Veiner

It is a gouge that is small and has a cutting edge that is U-shaped, it is commonly used to make hollows that are deep and round and curves that are round into wood.

V-Tool

This tool is for making lines that are curved and to make undercutting details in relief carving (also known as two dimensional). Its cutting edge is V-shaped and is also used to make outlining for particular wood patterns.

The macaroni tool

It is a tool that looks like a veiner tool that is squared off. It consists of three working edges that have sides standing at right angles to the bottom corner. It functions both as a V-tool and a chisel and designed for creating backgrounds in two-dimensional carving.

Riffler

It is a small curved file that meant for smoothing carved pieces of woodwork.

Fluter

It is a cutting tool that is U-shaped and has a curvature that is large at the cutting edge. It makes deep carving and hollows that are wide on wood.

Carvers mallet

 It is a tool used for tapping on the chisels and the gouges for them to make deeper impressions on wood. It is generally made of plastic or hardwood and looks round in shape.

Coping Saw

It is a hand-held saw that is small and used for cutting any external shapes in wood carving.

Fishtail

It is a gouge or type of a chisel that has a thin and light blade. It has a cutting edge that is broader than the shaft.

Powered Wood Carving Tools

Foredom flexible shaft tool

It is a powered wood carving tool used for shaping and texturing wood. It can quicken the process of carving, sanding and creation of textures. It has a motor with flexible shafts able to hold a wide variety of bits.

Band Saw

It is a tool used for cutting off scrap wood and making small carvings. It comprises of a long blade that is thin and uses an electric motor to power the module.

Drill press

It is used by the woodcarver when making precise holes into the wood. For a detailed guide on how to use a power drill, check out my guide.

Belt Sander

A belt sander is an essential tool, especially when you are dealing with a large carving or several pieces that may take a lot of time sanding. It helps in smoothing of wood carvings.

Planner and Joiner

It is a powered tool used to surface wood carvings and ensure that the boards have flat sides. The planner and joiner are very handy, especially when you want to create laminated boards.

Chain Saw

The chain saw is a powered tool that helps to remove the rough surfaces out of the logs, especially when you are working with large carvings.

Rotary hand tool

It is the most widely used of the powered tools used for wood carving. The machine finds its use in several stages of the wood carving process. Te several uses are possible because it comes with sanding wheels, engraving tips and cutting bits which help rough out, carving and create beautiful finishes on the carvings.

Router

It is a tool used to make carvings wooden designs and signs into the wood. The tool makes rooted cuttings pretty fast though they are not capable of providing options that are enough for making detailed carvings.

We hope this article will be of great help to you as you look for information on wood carving tools.