8 Must-Have Woodcarving Tools and Why

Woodcarving is arguably the most artistic of the woodworking disciplines. Basic woodworking skills will be useful when preparing for carving but transferring your three-dimensional idea onto a piece of wood takes a more creative mind, and some specific tools. Here are eight must-have woodcarving tools that I would recommend and why they’re essential, you may well have your own personal preference, and we would love to hear about the tools you have and need.

Set of carving chisels

There are different types of carving such as sculpture, plaque lettering and even chip carving and you will need chisels for the type of carving you want to do. It is good idea to get a general set of carving chisels and that will give you options for all types of work. You can get more specific chisels for tasks later, when you have honed your skills. A basic set of chisels will include gouges (u-shaped chisels) used for scooping and carving out curved shapes. Shallow gouges for fine work, deeper ones for removing more material. Flat chisels, essential for cutting straight lines and making precise edges, they are also great for smoothing surfaces of your carving. V-chisels for creating deep grooves and sharp angles and can also be used for fine details, lettering, and textures.

Piece of wood

Some popular choices of wood among woodcarvers include basswood, butternut, mahogany, cherry, oak, walnut, and cedar. These woods tend to have favorable characteristics such as moderate hardness, straight grain, and few prominent knots. They are generally easier to work with and can provide visually appealing results. Your choice of a piece of wood will typically depend on what you are going to carve and what is available. You may be lucky enough to have a supplier of nice woods near you, there is also the option of buying online from a specialist store. You could even find a piece of wood in your workshop or while you are out for a walk in nature.

Safety gloves

There are some different types of safety glove to use while woodcarving but the one I prefer to use is the chainmail version. Chain mail is made from many welded stainless-steel rings linked together. The glove is flexible which will readily mold to the hand, making it ideal for wood carvers to hold their work. The glove is used on your hand that is holding the workpiece so that if you slip while chiseling, the glove will protect your hand from a slicing cut. If you are using a knife and slip the point may penetrate the mail slightly and you might need a band aid but not a trip to the hospital.

Rasps and files

Woodcarving chisels are a great way to shape and form your piece of wood but there are times when they are not detailed enough, or you want to smooth inaccessible areas. A set of rasps and files will prove invaluable for doing this and they are also useful for smoothing curves and shaping small details.

Carving vice

Holding a workpiece steady while carving it is important to make sure you make accurate cuts. Holding the piece with your hand will work for small pieces but for larger work you will need a carving vice. These will allow you to hold your work securely and to also enable you to hold your carving at different angles to make all areas of your carving accessible. There are many types and sizes of vice available so choose a one that is the correct size for your carvings.

Mallet

There is nothing more satisfying that pushing a chisel through a piece of wood and watching the shaving peel off. There are times however that a little more brute force is needed, and a mallet will help drive chisels and gouges into the wood with a firm but controlled force. Using a mallet will also help reduce hand fatigue especially on large carving compared to pushing chisels manually. As with most tools there are different shapes, sizes and weights available so pick one that will fulfil most of your carving needs.

Sharpening stone

A true saying in woodworking and especially for woodcarving is “a sharp tool is a safe tool!” A sharp chisel will not only cut better but will also be more controllable and safer to use. Regular sharpening keeps chisels precise and effective, and an investment in a sharpening stone will be a wise one. Learn how to sharpen each of your carving tools and there will be a sharpening stone that is ideal for that. A do it all whetstone will be a good first buy and then get a book and watch videos on how to sharpen to learn the best way to hone the edges of your cutting tools.

Magazines for inspiration

Woodcarvers are artistic and creative people but like anyone with skills there are times when you will get the woodcarving version of writer’s block. This means you will have a mental vacuum for an idea of what to carve. Family and friends will often come up with ideas, but they may not be what you are in the mood for carving. One of the best sources of ideas for woodcarving are magazines and luckily enough we publish exactly the right magazine for you. It is called Woodcarving and will show you projects that will trigger off your carving inspiration and the magazine is also packed with techniques, features and tools. You can pick up copies at your local magazine store or better still you can subscribe so get a regular supply of woodcarving information.

To subscribe in the USA, go to: https://www.lightningpublications.com/product/woodcarving/

To subscribe in the rest of the world go to: https://www.gmcsubscriptions.com/product/woodcarving/

Further reading