Carving Tools: Couple of Questions
I'm in the process of gearing up to learn to carve. It's one of my 2018 New Year's Resolutions. I'm not particularly interested in "dedicated" wood carving, so to speak. I'm interested in the application of carving to period furniture styles. I've told myself that if I can successfully carve a Newport Shell and a Ball and Claw foot by the end of the year, then I will have succeeded.
Goals are important, people...
I've decided to use Mary May's online resources and likely her new book to learn this skill. One of the tools she suggests is a #10 5mm chisel.
Question 1: I can't really find this chisel. From what I can tell, Pfeil doesn't even offer a #10 sweep gouge. For those who are serious wood carvers, if you don't have the EXACT right chisel, and you have to choose a different sweep, which direction is more appropriate to go? In this case, would you choose a more broad No. 9 or a more narrow "veiner" No. 11 sweep? And just in general, what is the philosophical approach you take to sizing chisels when the "perfect" one isn't available?
Question 2: Among the tools she suggests for the projects in which I'm interested are three flat, No 1 sweep chisels. This is a corner I would prefer to cut, to put it quite frankly. I'd like to save $100 for practice wood material (or anything else) and just use single bevel bench chisels. I have a set of seven long paring chisels (from Blue Spruce) which are longer and thinner than a typical bench chisel. What disadvantages, if any, would I be inflicting upon myself? Would I regret cutting this corner?
Thanks a lot in advance. If anyone has any other feedback to offer I'd totally be willing to hear it.
Cheers,
Luke