Hey! I hope you’re having a great day, filled with sunshine and warmth. Maybe you’re enjoying the scent of wood as you carve away. I’m really liking this change in weather, it’s quite inspiring! So, I thought I’d share another article with you. We often wonder, “What makes good wood carving tools?” as we strive to enhance our whittling techniques, whether by discovering new tools or finding unique pieces of wood. There’s something special about that feeling you get when you try out a new tool or start working on a pattern you’ve been wanting to try for ages. Whatever the reason, that sense of joy and excitement is priceless, which is why we’re always on the lookout for more.
As usual, you can count on me to share my thoughts. I’ll give you some reviews of the tools I’ve tested lately and let you know what I think of them. Keep in mind, it’s just my personal take, not set in stone. So, when you read through and explore the tools, remember that. Hopefully, you’ll find something helpful for yourself, just like I did.
Today, I’ve decided to take a break from discussing “What are good wood carving knives?” since I’ve covered it quite a bit. Instead, let’s shift our focus to chisels. They’re an essential tool to have and a skill worth mastering. In certain European countries, chisels are even more commonly used than knives. It’s easy to see why: their versatility and range of applications make them indispensable. So, if you don’t already have any chisels, it might be worth considering adding them to your toolkit. Even if you do, learning a few tricks with them can greatly simplify your carving process.
Image Name Current Price BeaverCraft Bent Gouge K8a/14 Cuitaste Bent Gouge Knife BeaverCraft Cutting Knife BCC3 BeaverCraft Chisel 7L/22 Schaaf Set of 7 Chisels Intsun 12 Set
What chisels are the best for wood carving?
Here we are, discussing and reviewing different chisels. Before we delve into them and perhaps choose the best one for you, there are a few things to keep in mind about these useful tools. Just like with any other tool, consider the purpose of the instruments you’re interested in acquiring. It might sound obvious, but don’t rush into buying simply because they’re new to you. Think about what you typically work on with wood or what you aspire to create, and then make your decision accordingly. Otherwise, you might find yourself wanting to purchase every instrument you come across, which could lead to complications down the line.
When purchasing gouges, it’s important to know how to choose them correctly. Chisels often come with a nomenclature, which is essentially an explanation of the various numbers in the product description. Typically, you’ll encounter two types of nomenclature. Both types provide information about the width of the tool and its sweep, which refers to the depth, angle, and curvature of the bevel’s side. They just look different. One option might appear as 2/32, where the first number represents the sweep and the second indicates the width of the tool. The other type might use something like #4 to denote the sweep, with the width mentioned separately.
Before you start looking at chisels, first, determine what you’ll be using them for. Once you’ve done that, you can proceed with the introduction. Now, let’s move on to the review section. Let’s discover the top wood carving chisels. Let’s get started!
BeaverCraft Bent Gouge K8a/14
This lovely hand chisel is best suited for palm use only. It comes pre-sharpened, making it ready to use right out of the package. It feels nice to hold and is quite comfortable during use, making it nearly perfect for any concave carving projects you have in mind. The wooden shaft helps prevent slipping, and the company is very responsive to any inquiries. They also provide various tutorials on their social media and include instructions for using the chisels. However, some users have complained that the tool breaks easily (though this hasn’t been my experience, I thought I’d mention it).
In summary, it’s a great tool for carving spoons, concave patterns, bowls, or cups, but it may not be essential if you don’t frequently work on those projects. It’s sharp and effective, but there’s a possibility it could break easily.
Check this tool here: BeaverCraft, Wood Carving Bent Gouge K8a/14 0.55″ – Spoon Carving Tools – Woodworking…
Cuitaste Bent Gouge Knife
This tool has a sleek appearance with a dark wooden handle and a sharp blade. It features a stylish metal cap that secures the blade in place. It’s ideal for creating round patterns and concave shapes. However, unlike BeaverCraft’s product, it doesn’t come pre-sharpened, so you’ll need to hone it before use. While this aspect isn’t very appealing to me, it’s still a good tool in other respects.
In summary, it’s a fairly decent tool, affordable, but the quality reflects its lower price point. There are other tools available at a slightly higher cost that offer better quality.
Find out more about this gouge here: Gouge Knife, Wood Carving Knife, Bowl Carving, Bent Gouge Knife, Black Walnut Handle Radial Gouge Knife for Hard and Soft Woods.
BeaverCraft Chisel 7L/22
This gouge is longer compared to the previous two. Whether that’s a good or bad thing depends on your preference. If you prefer applying more force while carving and like the option of holding it with two hands, you’ll appreciate it. However, it might feel too large for your hands, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference. Additionally, they have tutorials on using their tools available on YouTube, which you can watch to help you make your decision.
In summary, this is a good long bent gouge for crafting concaves, much like the ones reviewed previously. Its longer handle can be seen as either an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on your preference.
Check this long bent gouge here: BeaverCraft Wood Carving Gouge Chisel 7L/22 Wood Carving Tools Bowl Carving Carbon…
Schaaf Set of 7 Chisels
This set includes seven different chisels, primarily designed for relief carving. However, they can also be used for detail carving tasks. Having seven different tools to accomplish various goals is certainly advantageous, isn’t it? Yet, if you’re still learning or unsure if you really need chisels, you might consider this set a bit extravagant. So, take your time before making a decision. Personally, I found this set to be quite enjoyable and worth the investment.
In summary, if you have high standards, you may want to consider other options. However, if you’re looking for beginner-level chisels that will get the job done, be sure to consider this set. Just keep in mind that they require a lot of sharpening.
Find out more about this 7 chisel set here: Schaaf Tools Full Size Wood Carving Tools, Set of 7 | Fishtail Profiles Included | for Beginners, Hobbyists and Professionals | with Protective Canvas Case
Intsun 12 Set
Well, this set stands out compared to the options mentioned earlier. I’d describe it as a “miniature set for miniature carving.” It offers a wide variety of different blades with quite unusual shapes, making it an intriguing tool set to work with. If you’ve examined other chisels and struggled to envision where you could use them, perhaps this set would be more suitable, given its distinctiveness. However, it’s likely better suited for softer woods, as the blades are quite small and may not be as sturdy as needed for hardwoods.
In summary, this is an unconventional set that could make a great gift for a beginner, a child, or someone looking for a change from the usual whittling routine. However, consider the balance between quality and cost, as well as the overall appearance of the tools.
Learn more about this set here: Wood Carving Knife, Intsun 12 Set SK2 Carbon Steel Wood Carving Tools Kit Handmade Crafting Chisel Knife for Kids Adults Beginners Professionals with Reusable Pouch
My take on the best wood carving chisels
I’d like to emphasize that there are numerous options available to explore. Fortunately, we have a wide range of choices, allowing each individual to explore the tools they are interested in and form their own opinions. As for the question, “What are the best wood carving tools?” for me, the answer is quite straightforward: they should be sharp and effective.
Undoubtedly, there are variations in quality among chisels, yet this is largely a subjective matter for most carvers. I’ve shared my perspective, and now it’s your turn to form yours. Take a moment to consider the question, “What chisels are the best for wood carving?” for yourself, and you’ll understand the satisfaction of reaching your own conclusion.
