Loathly Lady

#woodcarving #woodworking #woodwork #woodcarver
One of my godchildren burned/carved a spoon in school - now they want to start woodcarving as a hobby. Does anyone have a recommendation on good-quality tools that I could gift to my godchild? I've googled but tbh I don't really know how to assess usefulness/quality.

Edit: I am so pleasantly surprised and so grateful for all the helpful and kind answers that I have received! You are all great and lovely people and you've made my day!!

Mar 3 at 7:54pmMastodon for iOS
Show threadnobodyMar 3

@loathlylady I don't know your location, but if you are in north america, Lee Valley has some nice carving kits. depending on kind of carving they want to start out with, different tools would be needed. chip carving requires different carving knives compared to say spoon carving.

https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/search#q=carving%20kits

Carving isn't exactly my forte. so I am hoping that a boost might bring in more experienced people to opine.

Show threadLoathly LadyMar 4
@Rajiv
Thanks for the boost - I am in Europe but I very much appreciate your recommendation, this website gives me so many ideas - I'm almost tempted to start a new hobby myself now!
Show threadSabineMar 3
@loathlylady I started with Swedish Mora knives. These are good to make spoons or small bowls and Kuksa cups. It really depends on what he wants to carve, he will likely expand on that (the sky is the limit).
https://www.morakniv.com/en-ca/products/beginner-wood-carving-kit
Wood Carving Kit for Beginners

Show threadHafensophieMar 3
@loathlylady maybe @werkabenteuer?
(Hope you don’t mind me @ing you)
Show threadWerkabenteuerMar 3
@hafensophie
Yes, I would agree with @canyakker, Morakniv carving knives are a good choice for beginners, but also for experienced carvers. But of course the best are the hand-forged knives from the blacksmith. Just gain experience with the Morakniv, for example, and get more knives later, preferably made of carbon steel, because they can be sharpened well.
@loathlylady
Show threadLoathly LadyMar 4

@werkabenteuer @hafensophie @canyakker

Thank you for the suggestions! I will look into the Mora knives and the Beaver Craft knives that others have suggested...
And I completely agree, sharpness/quality makes a huge difference in all kinds of tools (I'm not even going to start talking about my scythes), so I'm happy to buy more tools when/if my godchild decides to stick with their hobby. Thank you so much!!

Show threadclewMar 4
(I would love to read you talking about your scythes.)
@loathlylady @werkabenteuer @hafensophie @canyakker
Show threadwedgeMar 3

@loathlylady

I’ve noticed there are two ways people get started in woodcarving. One is spoons, cups, bowls, etc. Practical things. The other is in the decorative direction; acanthus leaves, etc. The types of carving tools are a bit different for each. Knives for the former, chisels for the latter, in general.

Eventually carvers expand their skills and tools. But it sounds like the first scenario is the starting point here, so chip knives, hook knives, etc. E.g.

https://mountainwoodcarvers.com/products/pro-spoon-knife-expansion-kit-copy

PRO Spoon Carving Set

Show threadLoathly LadyMar 4
@wedge
Ah, now I see... I was wondering about the chisels but I'm happy you've made that distinction between decoration and items for everyday use, thanks! Knives it is. If they're interested, chisels can always be added :)
Show threadwedgeMar 3

@loathlylady

A couple more thoughts.

Carving tools are very sharp and need to be held correctly and used carefully. Include a manual that explains these usage techniques, as well instructions for properly sharpening the tools.

Also carving knives are certainly more affordable than carving chisels, but cheap isn’t better either way, even for a beginner. Cheap tools are only frustrating.

Turn them on to some carving video channels, too, so they can see it done.

Show threadLoathly LadyMar 4
@wedge
That's actually a brilliant idea. I (the godmother) can gift the tools and their godfather can gift the instructions or a class. So if they decide to stick with their hobby, we can share the credit.
And yes, there will be no cheap tools! We've got enough rubbish, disposable, low-quality things in our life. Less stuff but better stuff.
Show threadNicolas SchodetMar 4
@loathlylady @wedge I would also include protection glove(s) and some pieces of boxwood. Knife does not need to be expansive.
Show threadwedgeMar 5

@loathlylady
@schodet

Yes, gloves might help. But they are a personal choice. I’ve less control with gloves on. For me that’s a negative.

Emphasize attention on proper tool holding & using techniques; *never* putting flesh in path of cutting forces.

A carvers vise is a big plus, and learning other assisted-holding methods.

Dull tools are more dangerous than sharp, compromising technique/control. Learn sharpening! More to buy :)

Quality is more important than expensive. But, you know.

Show threadPalmAndNeedleMar 3
@loathlylady https://beavercrafttools.com/ from Ukraine also make good entry level carving knives
Wood carving tools manufacturer

Ukrainian manufacturer of wood carving tools. Whittling knives, Chisels, Wood Carving Kits, Accessories by BeaverCraft. Woodworking hand tools shipping to US, Europe and all around the World

BeaverCraft Tools
Show threadLoathly LadyMar 4
@PalmAndNeedle
I will look into these, thank you so much! I've seen that they have some knives made with carbon steel, which has been recommended above with regards to sharpness... Merci!!
Show threadwedgeMar 3

@loathlylady

There are some quite accomplished carvers in the fedi. I’m sure they’ll respond with more informed insights than mine.

Emil in Sweden, for example, does amazing spoon work. @emilgoode

Others I know of are more in the decorative/ornamental direction. Jewelry, knife handles, animal figurines…

Show threadEmil GoodeMar 4
@wedge Thank you! :)
Show threadWandering HermitMar 4

@loathlylady

Please include a pair of slice-resistant gloves. Woodcarving tools are *sharp*

Show threadLoathly LadyMar 4
@wanderinghermit
Oh god, yes! I would prefer if they don't get hurt because of my gift, that's nightmare material... I actually used cut-resistant gloves when I cooked together with my grandma (dementia=worse motor skills), so I could have thought of that earlier 🤭 thank you for the reminder!
Show threadRuebenMar 4

@loathlylady

I am only a beginner woodworker and don't do much carving.

In addition to carving knives and gouges, clamps are very useful.

Depending on the type of carving being done, it is useful to hold the wood in a vice or to clamp it down to a workbench or table. Then when carving with a gouge (or chisel) they can keep both hands on the tool. That way if they slip, they are only in danger of stabbing the bench and not their hands (both being on the tool, behind the blade).

A few of 6" clamps are pretty useful.

Quick release clamps are handy: https://www.irwintools.com/product/1964758/quick-grip-one-handed-6-mini-bar-clamps-4-pack

But if I don't want something to move I will use a screw type: https://www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/hand-tools/clamps/bar/117238-jorgensen-light-duty-fast-acting-bar-clamps

#Woodworking

QUICK-GRIP One-Handed 6" Mini Bar Clamps (4 Pack)

The IRWIN® QUICK-GRIP® One-Handed Mini Bar Clamp 4 Pack, is the perfect clamp set for smaller projects and working in confined spaces. Reinforced resin bodies and hardened steel bars ensure strength and durability. These clamps feature non-marring pads to protect work surfaces, one-handed quick-release triggers and provide 140 lbs. of clamping force. Set includes four 6" One-Handed Mini Bar Clamps.

Show threadJigme DatseMar 4
@rueben @loathlylady Yes, clamps are actually quite useful. Also things like books/instructions. I've got myself a couple of kits from Beaver Craft Tools https://beavercrafttools.com/ which have decent tools with them, and decent instructions. With the having already done stuff, I would say that they are ahead of me when I grabbed my first set.

Sharpening tools are also good. Dull tools are not good. Most tools are "usable" new, but not really properly sharp.
Wood carving tools manufacturer

Ukrainian manufacturer of wood carving tools. Whittling knives, Chisels, Wood Carving Kits, Accessories by BeaverCraft. Woodworking hand tools shipping to US, Europe and all around the World

BeaverCraft Tools
Show threadLoathly LadyMar 4
@JigmeDatse @rueben
I didn't even think of clamps. You guys are so helpful, thank you so much!
Show threadMartin Owens Mar 4

@fuzzyllama

Do you have any ideas for wood carving?

@loathlylady

Show threadfuzzyllamaMar 4

@doctormo @loathlylady

Beaver Craft carving tools are great for beginners. They make a full set and I use it all the time. For higher quality tools, Morakniv are a good option. Morakniv are my favorite knives to use. They are available on Amazon, Woodcraft or Rockler.

Show threadLoathly LadyMar 4
@fuzzyllama @doctormo
I have not yet decided but it will definitely be either Morakniv or Beaver... and thank you so much for your recommendation - it is so helpful to get advice from real people with expertise!
Show threadEmil GoodeMar 4
@loathlylady I may be repeating from other posts but for an adult starting spoon carving I would recommend the Mora knife106 (carbon steel) and a Mora hook knife 164 (they are right or left handed). But I don't know if these are safe to use for a 15 year old. Maybe a Mora knife No. 201 that has a finger guard is better. For sure they had supervision and help from the teacher in school. To start spoon carving only 4 tools are needed; a carving knife, a hook knife or gouge, a saw and an axe. A spoon blank is a piece of wood axed to the shape of a spoon and is usually the starting point for carving the spoon with a knife. If you don't want to axe wood, it is possible to buy a spoon blank that is ready for carving. Safety is the most important thing.
https://www.morakniv.com/en/products/woodcarving-knife-106-c
https://www.morakniv.com/en/products/hook-knife-164-right
https://www.morakniv.com/en/products/nr-201-c
https://beavercrafttools.com/products/bb2-spoon-carving-blanks-set
Woodcarving Knife 106 (C)