Most wood carving tools are cutting tools. Every cutting tool has at least one bevel. This is the sloping surface coming off the edge. But it's more than jut a sloping surface. It's actually a cutting angle. So the bevel supports a specific cutting angle that determines how the tool can be used. Experienced carvers know about bevels and how they affect cutting efficiency.

If you're just starting out as a wood carver, and you're going to purchase carving tools for the first time, here are some things you should know.

Some carving tools leave the manufacturer without a bevel. This means that you'll have to be the one to make the cutting angle, which determines the shape of the bevel. Many experienced wood carvers prefer new tools this way because they want to put the cutting angles on themselves. They don't want to have to remake an edge.

Non-beveled edges are only recommended for those wood carvers who already know how to sharpen knives or similar types of cutting tools. Beveled edges are essentially wedges and every metal wedge is, in effect, a knife. When you know how to sharpen knives, you can make the cutting angle (AKA the sharpening angle) just the way you want it. You control the bevel exactly.

It's pretty easy to find new carving tools with pre-set bevels already ground in by the manufacturer. Nevertheless, the new carver must be aware that, even though the cutting angle was created by the tool maker, it may not be the correct size or shape that they want. Don't just assume that the bevel is correct. Know your needs, i.e. your specific carving tasks, and get the right tools. You shouldn't rush this.

The cutting angle of your carving tool, or the length of the bevel, determines the strength of the wood you can carve. At its very basic, the greater the cutting angle, the steeper and shorter the bevel. The greater angle means more cutting strength on the edge. The stronger the edge, the harder the wood to be cut. What does it all mean?

If you're going to cut soft woods, you'll want a small cutting angle on your tool's edge. This is a very thin edge and makes for a very large bevel (a long backwards slope).

If you're going to cut hard woods, you'll want a large cutting angle on your tool's edge. This makes for a much thicker, slanted edge and a small bevel (short and steep).

Here is another important point to keep in mind. The size of the cutting angle on your edge can determine how much control you'll have when carving.

If you're using a carving tool with a small cutting angle and a large bevel, more of your hands can rest on the wood. This provides better control and, therefore, better carving. Unfortunately, your edge isn't as strong as it could be.

If you're using a carving tool with a large cutting angle and a small bevel, less of your hands can rest on the wood. This could make carving a bit clumsy because you've got much less control of your hands. It's a curious thing. You've a strong edge that cuts fast but mistakes are easily made.

Because we're talking about bevels, here are the three main types of bevels that can be found in wood carving: straight (square) bevels, rounded bevels (convex) and hollow (concave) bevels.

Straight bevels. As the name sounds, these bevels have a straight square edge. They provide the most efficient cutting and the greatest strength to the edge for its sharpness. Many wood carvers prefer this type of bevel.

Rounded bevels. The profile of a rounded bevel is convex and looks the exact opposite of a hollow bevel. More effort is needed to cut the wood because the wedge is normally thick. Therefore, cutting angles are large.

Hollow bevels. Hollow bevels are concave and look the exact opposite of a rounded bevel. It's a very unique shape but working with it isn't very easy. Oftentimes, the hollowed bevel will unknowingly ride up on the edge of a cut so you've got to watch every part of it all of the time.

When you know the fundamentals of how cutting angles on beveled edges affect cutting efficiency, you'll know so much about any cutting tool that you hold in your hand. Simple mistakes can be avoided and you'd be well on your way to becoming a skilled wood carver.

By: Len Q.

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Wood carving tools comes in different styles that depend on shapes, uses and sizes. Before you decide on which tools you acquire it is very important to consider the three basic factors.

Tools are always designed for particular functions. To start with the parting tools have V shapes that are very narrow and smaller in size. The cutting edge is either 40 or 60 inches and in most cases it is used for finishing the corners that are found on the inside.

The veining tools come in U shapes. They are very small in size and they are used for making grooves and rough lines. The flutes are larger compared to the veining tools. In most cases they are used for making surfaces very smooth and giving it a good finish.

Chisels ranges from narrow sizes to the widest size. They are mainly used for flat-cutting of edges occurring at 90 degrees and making good finishes for the sharp edges. The skew tools are like chisels that provide straight cutting for edges occurring at 45 degrees. Depending on the type of cutting they can give a left skew or right skew.

The long bent gouges are used in making concave curves. They are mainly used for roughing and making hollows. The spoon gouges have a concave shape with straight shanks. They are also mainly used for gouging. The back bent gouges are similar to the spoon gouges except they have convex-shaped curves that bends backwards. They are mainly used for chopping undersides.

It is therefore good to note that the size of the wood curving tools will determine the radius of the curves. Hence tools that contain low size numbers are mostly used for finishing. On the other hand tools that contain big curvatures have size numbers that are big to be able to make deep cuts.

By: Thomas G Gray

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Whittling is the removal of pare shavings or the cutting of small bits from a piece of wood. It is the most basic form of wood carving but it is not actually the art of wood carving, as it is done today. Wood carving requires a number of tools, even power tools at that. So it could get complicated pretty fast. But this is not how it is when one whittles. All you need to whittle are two things: a piece of wood and a knife.

True whittling has always been very simple. Details in the wood aren't very refined but rather pretty coarse. When you are holding a whittled object in your hand, you know it. You can plainly see each knife stroke. Using sand paper isn't an option. This is the exact opposite of wood carving, which typically excels in details. When you're holding a wood carving of the same object, you usually won't see even one knife stroke. It's very interesting. Whittling a little girl could take a week when all you're using is a knife. Wood carving the same little girl requires more tools but it takes just a fraction of the time. She'll also have many details that couldn't be produced with just a knife.

Whittling requires no special tools, no special circumstance or any specific type of working environment. Just you, a piece of wood and your knife are all it takes. You can whittle anywhere inside or outside your home, in a car, at a picnic, in a park-nearly anywhere. This is not so with detailed wood carving.

There are quite a number of special tools that you'll likely be using when you wood carve. There are detail knives and carving knives, wood rasps and wood files, wood gouges and wood chisels. And these aren't all of them. (Ever heard of a sanding stick?) There's a very good chance that you'll probably have a handful of power tools as part of your wood carving tool kit. Then you'll also need to concern yourself with how to supply electric power. It isn't so simple.

You really do need a designated work area when you're wood carving. You usually aren't even holding the wood you're working on. Many times it'd be a vise doing that for you so you'll need a good work bench or platform. And with all those valuable tools around, you don't want anyone fiddling with them. Besides the possibility of losing them, many of them are dangerously sharp and no one should touch them but you. And what about that special creation that you've been working on for so long? You surely don't want any spectators scoping it out when you're not around. Who knows what'll happen? (Hey, where'd the nose go?)

The act of whittling is considered to be a contemplative, meditative process. It isn't so much what you're whittling but the process itself. Wood carving, on the other hand, is more of an end result process. You strive to create what you see in your mind with all the details that come with it. You've a product to produce and so you may not care to spare any time.

It comes down to a matter of taste and how you feel. If you have no care to rush, you want to take your time and see what happens, whittling is for you. If you'd like to see just how skilled you can be, how good you are at bringing out details, wood carving may be just what you're looking for. Hey, try them both. You might surprise yourself.

By: Len Q.

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Proper care of wood carving gouges is important in order to ensure the longevity and quality of your tools. Carving gouges are one of the most used tools when carving and therefore are prone to a lot of wear and tear. By following these tips you can get the most use out of them.

First and foremost purchase quality tools. Quality tools will stay sharper and cost less in the long run. When sharpening your tools do not grind them. You will want to use a whetstone and strop, otherwise you may damage the gouge. For your carving gouges you will also need a set of ceramic slip stones to get inside the tool as well. Make sure the sharp edges are well honed, otherwise the tools will not cut cleanly. You will notice a difference in your carving when using properly sharpened tools, as they will seem to glide through the wood with little effort.

When you are done using your tools clean them and make sure they are dry before storing them. Carving gouges can be stored in either plastic or leather cases. The most important thing is that the case keeps moisture out. You want to make sure the case is sturdy enough so that the gouges do not accidentally get chipped or damaged. Find a safe place to store your wood carving tools in their cases, such as a toolbox or tackle box. This will keep them safe from being accidentally dropped or having weighted items land on them.

Improper care can ruin the best tools. By making sure your wood carving gouges are properly sharpened, cleaned and stored you will ensure that they are not just easier to carve with but also that your finished pieces will look their best.

By: Chuck Hall

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There is woodcarving and there is whittling as the old-timers call it, the latter of which is the oldest of the two forms. The three main things required to begin carving are 1. Either a whittling knife or a six piece basic carving set, 2. A soft wood, and 3. Imagination and desire.

As you progress in talent you may graduate up to chainsaws and hardwoods but for today we will stick with the basics. The basic six piece carving set consist of the following tools: A straight gouger, straight veiner, straight chisel, bent v-tool, straight skew, and a bent chisel.

These tools come in different handle shapes so it is up to you to decide which type feels more comfortable in your hand. Most sets can be purchased for under $50.00.

There are four basic types of woodcarving you can do and each type may require different tools for the job. As stated earlier whittling is the oldest of these and requires nothing more than a carving knife. Then, there is Carving in the Round, Relief Carving, and Chip Carving.

For hand carvers the best wood choices are Basswood, Pine, and Cottonwood. If you choose wood that is either to soft or to hard you will not be able to achieve the desired results. Once you have the correct tools and wood in hand the rest is up to you.

Woodcarving is a wonderfully inexpensive hobby that allows the artist to escape pressures we all face and let the problems of the day float to the floor along with the shavings.

By: Chuck Hall

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Wood carving tools are an important part of an engaging hobby that can offer you enjoyment and a chance to exercise your creativity. Buying and choosing these tools is a critical step in getting off on the right foot, and should be taken seriously. Before you go shopping, you need to first line out how much you can spend. This will be important in selection as getting quality tools can cost more, but are worth investing in for the long run.

Getting quality wood carving tools ensures safety, ease of use, and a better job when you are finished carving. If you budget is limited, you can start out with a few basic tools that are versatile and will get you going. A good, basic knife is essential and will be one of the most common tools you use while carving. A good beginners knife will run around twenty dollars, have a solid handle and a blade that is about one to one and a half inches in length. Another basic is a set of hand gouges, or palm tools that will come in a set of around six to eight blades and are useful for all kinds of carving. This set usually costs around fifty to sixty dollars.

To sharpen your wood carving tools, you will need a strap and compound for the blades. For safety you will also need a thumb protector that is made of leather. This is worn on the hand that carves and will protect you from cuts. These items will run in the range from ten to twenty dollars. The safety equipment is highly advised, and will be needed.

By: Thomas G Gray

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I remember a conversation I had with a friend of mine named Dan. Dan was an expert when it came to carving wood. I guess you would call him a wood carver. He certainly wasn't a lumberjack. He didn't "hew" wood; his talent lied in carving wood. Dan explained this to me over a few Mai Tais and informed me that the craft of carving wood was immensely more complex than I can possibly imagine. He kept impressing upon me the idea that carving wood is the same as sculpting from stone or painting with oils. Essentially, wood carving is an art.

The skill in masterfully carving wood is certainly impressive. I agreed that carving wood deserved to be respected more than it has been in the past, and Dan seemed happy that his point hit home. At first, I hadn't realized just how much Dan's words had affected me that day. The following weekend, I was lying on my bed and a commercial for a wood router had come on the television set. I immediately realized that wood carving is indeed an art. I grabbed my keys and headed to the nearest hardware store.

I was immediately overwhelmed with the sheer amount of wood carving tools that were available. I consulted a knowledgeable employee and went home with a basic wood carving set that was aimed at novices. I had originally suspected the set to be a bit too basic but, after a day or two of practicing, I realized that wood carving is an art that could never be described as "basic". Since that day, my talent in wood carving has grown exponentially and I now count myself among the many devoted fans of the art that is wood carving.

The most important thing I learned about wood carving when starting out was just how important it is to be patient. This is an incredibly difficult skill to learn and nobody truly masters it. Frustration is natural for anybody who is trying to take on a new challenge, but wood carving has always been seen as an art that is supposed to promote relaxation. The key is to become "one" with the wood. Let the wood inside you and become one another. Only then will you be able to look at the wood and see what can truly be done with it. Have faith; all questions will make sense in the end.

By: Keith Evans

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For many years, the art of wood carving from Africa is known to be one of the most beautiful, natural and unique in the world. It has maintained its huge economic and cultural importance to the people of Africa in general and to the artists in particular. This art of wood carving is centuries old and is passed down form generation to generation. This enables the work to become not only consistent, but also better with time.

The exact impact of wood carving on culture differs from tribe to tribe. Among the Akan of Ghana and La Cote d'Ivoire the use of wood carving in symbolism is recognized right form family (Obusua) to the state (Oman) level. As an example, wooden stools symbolise power and authority. In Kenya, among the Kalenjin tribe, wooden clubs (Chepunyo) are carried only by circumcised men and their design varies from one age group to another.This culture is obeyed,sometimes in total disregard of ones high and powerful status in modern day society.Such is the power of wood carving in African culture.

The economic aspect of wood carvings, on the other hand, is a more recent development. With better communication among nations, and the onset of the internet in the nineteen nineties, the beautiful, unique African wood carvings acquired wider exposure to the outside world. They were marketed as home and office decors, gifts to loved ones and domestic utensils. They did not disappoint.

Many different types of materials are used in African Handicraft. Wood and soapstone are commonly used to make unique, exciting sculptures while baskets are woven from natural fiber such as sisal. In keeping with tradition, sculpting is done by men while basket weaving is done by women. Most sculptures take the form of animals and humans with close link to the country of origin. Even when African handicraft items are based on the same subject matter and design, the fact that they are handmade with simple tool, makes them very unique. No two items will be alike. Wood remains the most important material to the artists mainly because it is easily accessible. It is also relatively easy to carve items out of wood enabling the artists to express their thoughts more easily and freely.

However, do not be fooled that African wood cravings would not be of high quality just because they are made from some natural material and with simple tools. The wood is either soft or hard - Both types have their own bads and goods. Whether the wood used is soft or hard, does not affect the quality of the end product. The final product will be something you will be extremely proud to show off.

The purchase of unique, original African wood carvings is on the rise because the products are truly exquisite and one of a kind piece of art. They are made from materials local to the country of origin by very talented and hardworking citizens of Africa. Just one look at these beautiful creations will assure you that you are not only in the presence of a beautiful handicraft but also something which represents African culture, history and heritage.

By: Aggrey Marami

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Any homeowner who enjoys working in the garage should invest in wood carving tools at some point in their lives. From the expert woodworker to the weekend warrior, tools that can be used to quickly carve wood come into play. There are many wood carving tools on the market today, some of the more basic ones include:

Knife - A sharp pen knife is the most basic of wood carving tools. It can be used in a variety of ways and should be included in any wood carving kit. Be sure to buy a durable blade with a heavy gauge steel.

Chisel and Hammer - A chisel and hammer are necessary when digging out large chunks of material. Always make note of the grain of the wood when using a chisel and hammer or you risk removing too much.

Coping Saw - A coping saw is used to make intricate turns in wood. Necessary for most wood workers during those first few minutes when you are taking a block of wood down to a general shape of the finished product.

File - A file refines of wood after the saw, knife and chisel have been at work. It's the first step in completing a finished woodworking project. Careful, being too aggressive could damage the features of the wood.

Sandpaper - Helping to complete the finished product, sandpaper is a vital part of woodworking for smoothing rough cuts.

Wood tools are important for anyone with a shop at home. Even if you don't think they are necessary you will eventually come across a project requiring the use of these tools. Better to have them and not need them than the alternative.

By: Thomas G Gray

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Wood carving can be a fun and rewarding craft for advanced and novice artists alike. There is nothing like the feeling of turning a hunk of material into something meaningful that you can display in your own home, give as a gift, or even sell for a profit. However, in addition to the skills needed for this craft, one must also have the right wood carving supplies.

The possibilities of turning a piece of wood into a sculpture or figurine are endless. Prior to selecting the right tools, it is good to have a plan for exactly what you want to make. Making skectches or even taking pictures of the image you would like to sculpt puts a visual image in your head that will keep you on track when the carving begins. Also, before selecting supplies, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with the different types of wood carving such as chip carving, relief carving, treen, and whittling. Last, but certainly not least, before choosing carving supplies, you need to find the right kind of wood.

The most basic tool for carving wood is the carving knife. These knives come in many different shapes, sizes, and blade angles, all used for different types of cutting, paring, and smoothing wood. Many of the blades are specialized for longevity in wood carving and handles specialized for ease of handling. Always take the time and do the research to find the best knife for your particular project.

Another useful tool is the gouge. This is basically a carving tool with a curved cutting edge used in carving hollows, rounds, and sweeping curves in wood. Just like regular carving knives, gouges come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and angles. Study your plans closely when selecting the right variety of tools like gouges; it is important to look at relative proportions, that is, the size of a cut or groove compared to the size of other cuts and the size of the entire object.

Another tool, the chisel, has a straight cutting edge used for cutting lines and cleaning up flat surfaces. Chisels can also be used for wedging and are often paired with hammers for being driven into the wood. Once again, choosing the right kind is important. In addition to size, there are many varieties to choose from such as the butt, carving, corner, and framing chisels. Remeber: study your plans and do the reseach before choosing a specific tool.

As your project advances, you may realize that the tools you have are not sufficient for a particular task. You may eventually realize the need for more specialized tools such a V-tool, a veiner, or a router. Remember that there is a type of tool for every type of cut you can imagine; just do the research and you'll find that special tool you need. You may also find a mallet and special ***** for holding your project to a table handy additions to your wood carving supplies.

By: Christian Ray Dinopol

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