Thread: Amateur Carver looking for tools

The local tool collector club HTPA has a tool sale on March 19.
Be worth your while going, you'd probably find a few carving tools and any number of spokeshaves.
One of the small Stanly shaves would do the flat is a #64 rounded base is #63.
H.

I'm a 19 year old amateur woodcraver

Hi Akiva

I crave wood myself

Sorry ..

A spoke shave for the underside of handles is a good idea. Most Stanleys are suitable. I prefer the adjuster-less versions, such a flat bottomed #51. You do not need a curved bottom spokeshave - anyway, they are harder to use. See if you can find a Stanley #53. This is the adjustable mouth version, which gives you two spokeshaves in one (wide- and closed mouth).

I don't see the spokeshave for the underside of the spoon bowl as the tool of choice. Either use a knife or a rasp (even a coarser file), and finish with a scraper.

All these are available on eBay, and generally quite cheaply.

Regards from Perth

Derek

haha I'm glad to hear that you too are a woodcraver, thought I was the only one out there!

Thanks a lot for your help, I appreciate it. I've taken a look at ebay and online and gauged the general prices to get a better idea. There's a guy who sells second hand tools nearby, so gonna head over there and check first, but a big help nonetheless. Will try the rasp, but hopefully won't have to, given that I'm going to be experimenting with American Walnut and Cherry next, both of which are meant to be softer. Hopefully the knife should do me fine, but very excited!

I'll definitely put that in my calender Gold Member, thanks for the heads up!

Took a look at those models, and just gonna see a second hand tool dealer nearby to see if he can beat those prices. Thanks very much for replying!

Akiva

I did some spoon carving (70) and some forks (30). I bought a $50.00 Stanley s/s with a soft steel blade, adjustable with a hammer.
No return to vendor as I had tried to sharpen it for a couple of weeks. Threw it into the tip.

I bought a $16.00 Samona s/s in the local hardware store which sings in the wood. A week later, I bought a second one.
One is set for coarse shavings, the other set fine to kiss off the ridges from #1. All told, probably pulled those 2km in birch (Betula papyrifera).

You are far better off to shape the outside of the bowl with a serious carving knife
like a Pfeil Brienz or a big skew like a Pfeil 1S/25. At least, look at those for ideas.

Carve some prototypes in easy woods like your camphor laurel or King Billy pine.
That way, you get some ideas on the techniques for the shapes and cuts.

You need edges better than scalpel shqarp = carving sharp.
Something else to learn in order to have fun.
Dull tools are a dangerous struggle.