The Ultimate Guide to Types of Wood Carving Tools: Handyman Tips and Techniques

Wood carving is a timeless craft that allows individuals to create intricate and beautiful designs using the power of their hands and the right tools. Whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a novice looking to try your hand at carving, having the right tools is essential. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various types of wood carving tools, their uses, and handyman tips and techniques to help you master this centuries-old craft.

From chisels and gouges to knives and mallets, each tool serves a specific purpose in wood carving. Understanding the different types and how to use them will not only enhance your carving skills but also ensure your safety. Whether you’re interested in relief carving, chip carving, or sculpture carving, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and techniques needed to bring your artistic vision to life.

Join us as we delve into the world of wood carving tools and discover the tips and techniques used by seasoned professionals in the field. Get ready to unlock your creativity and embark on your wood carving journey with confidence.

We often write about wood carving and we already covered wood carving tool sets, sharpening of the tools, books for beginners etc. Now we decided to make a small guide to all of you that want to learn the basics and more about the types of wood carving tools. Professional wood carvers use a huge array of tools and it’s hard for a beginner to understand which tools are used for what.

In this article we will cover the most basic things about wood carving tools, from general shapes and sizes to specific tools.

Parts of wood carving tools

All the types of wood carving tools consists of two main parts, the handle and the blade. The straight or curved shape of the edge starting from the cutting edge of the blade is referred to as the sweep. The point the blade can be either beveled on both sides, if it is a straight sweep and beveled on one side only if the sweep is curved. If the bevel is on the inside of the curve the gouge is said to be incannel and if the bevel is on the outside of the curve the gouge is outcannel. The blade starts to taper near the handle at the shoulder reaching its narrowest point at the neck.

The blade flares out from the neck towards the handle to form the bolster. A rod always extends out from the bolster into the handle (not always the case with cheap carving tools). The tang gives extra support to the blade within the handle. The handles of carving chisels are usually made from wood. Straight grained and slow growing hardwoods such as ash, beech and hornbeam are best for handles. This is because the wood is dense and strong and the straight grain is less likely to split due to inherent knots and faults.  In the place next to the bolster where the tang enters the handle a brass or steel ferrule usually supports the handle.

Basic shapes of wood carving tools

There are huge number of various wood carving tools and they all have specific names. In order to understand the part of the article about sizes, first we’ll cover the basic shapes of wood carving tools. Chisels have a flat blade and they can be single or double beveled. Skew chisels have a flat or straight cutting edge also but these shaped on a slant or skew. Gouges have a curved cutting edge which is called a sweep. Veiner is a gouge with maximum curvature of the sweep. V-tools or parting tools have blade in “V” shape in various degrees of the corner. There are many more shapes of wood carving tools but those are the basic shapes.

Sizes of wood carving tools

There are three main sizes of wood carving tools; palm size, mid size and full size. Palm sized wood carving tools are used for smaller carvings – especially those carvings that you hold in one hand and the palm tool in the other. Mid size and full size tools are used for medium to larger size carvings. They made to be pushed using one or both hands or may be struck with a mallet.

Wood carving tools are numbered by the size and curvature of the blade. The curvature of the blade or the “sweep” is defined by numbers from #1 to #11. For instance, #1 sweep is a straight chisel and #11 is almost a semi-circle gouge. The other number is the size or the length of the blade and it is mostly stated in millimeters, although some US manufacturers still state the length in inches. For instance, a #4 8 mm gouge has a #4 curvature and it is 8 mm wide at the blade. You may find that the level of curvature may vary between various manufacturers of wood carving tools. When it comes to non basic shapes of tool like v-chisels, spoon bents or back bents the sizes vary too great between different brands.

Wood carving chisels

As we said earlier, wood carving chisel is, specifically, a flat bladed carving tool. Wood carving chisels differ to ordinary woodworking chisels in that they are beveled on both sides of the blade instead of having a bevel and a flat back. The standard chisels have a cutting edge that is square to the sides and it varies only in the length of the blade. Chisels can also come with a skewed edge, which is particularly useful when cleaning out tight corners where there is little clearance.

Wood carving gouges

Among the types of wood carving tools, wood carving gouge is the most commonly used type. Gouges come in various degrees of blade curvature and they can produce all kinds of concave and convex shapes and surfaces. As we said earlier, this curvature is called the sweep and it is denoted by a number. Higher numbered gouges are particularly good at cutting channels and deeper details. There are lot of variations of wood carving gouges and each variation is used for specific carving tasks. We’ll cover the most commonly used gouge variations.

The long bent gouge has blades that are curved along the entire length. This shape of the gouge allows you to hollow out and make deeper cuts than with a straight gouge. Long bent gouge is available with a range of sweeps and it is extremely useful in relief carving.

Spoon bent gouge is the short version of the long bent gouge. Spoon bent gouges get their name from having a blade that is mainly straight along its length and only curves at the end just like a spoon. Spoon bent gouges are used for hollowing and deep cutting however because of the unusual blade shape, these gouges excel at cutting in hard to reach areas.

With the fishtail gouges the blade starts off thin at the handle, flaring out towards the end to reach its widest point at the cutting edge. The unusual shape of the blade gives clearance in hard to access areas where full width blades would have difficulty fitting. The fishtail form can be found in chisels also.

Types of Carving Knives

Carving knives are the backbone of any wood carving toolkit, and understanding the different types of carving knives is crucial for achieving the desired results. These versatile blades come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs, each suited for specific tasks and techniques.

One of the most common types of carving knives is the straight-bladed knife. This classic design features a straight, sharp edge that is perfect for making clean, precise cuts and shaping the wood. Straight-bladed knives are versatile and can be used for a wide range of carving tasks, from removing large chunks of wood to creating intricate details.

Another popular type of carving knife is the curved-bladed knife, also known as a sloyd knife. These knives feature a curved blade that is well-suited for tasks that require more control and precision, such as creating tight curves, hollows, and other intricate details. Curved-bladed knives are particularly useful for relief carving, where the artist creates a design that protrudes from the surface of the wood.

In addition to straight and curved blades, carving knives can also be classified by their handle design. Some knives feature a traditional wooden handle, while others have ergonomic handles made of materials like plastic or rubber. The handle design can significantly impact the comfort and control of the knife, so it’s essential to choose a knife that fits your hand and carving style.

For those looking to tackle more specialized carving tasks, there are also a variety of specialty knives available. These include detail knives with thin, sharp blades for intricate work, spoon carving knives with curved blades for creating concave shapes, and chip carving knives with a V-shaped blade for making precise, angled cuts.

Regardless of the type of carving knife you choose, it’s crucial to ensure that the blade is sharp and well-maintained. A dull knife can be dangerous and difficult to control, leading to uneven cuts and potentially damaging the wood. Regularly sharpening your carving knives with a whetstone or honing steel will help maintain their edge and ensure a safe, efficient carving experience.

V-tools and Veiners

We already mentioned that V-tools get their name from the V profile of their blade. They produce a V shaped cut with a crisp angled bottom and they are used for detailing and adding decoration. V-tools are sometimes also called V parting tools. They are available in a variety of different angles with the most common being 30 and 45 degrees.

As we said earlier, the veiner features a tight U shaped profile with maximum curvature of #11. Veiner is used for adding fine details such as veins and stem on leaves as well as cutting deeper grooves.

Power Tools for Wood Carving

While traditional hand tools are the backbone of wood carving, the modern woodworker’s toolkit often includes a variety of power tools that can greatly enhance the carving process. These power tools offer increased speed, precision, and efficiency, allowing carvers to tackle more complex projects with greater ease.

One of the most versatile power tools for wood carving is the rotary tool, commonly known as a Dremel. These compact, high-speed tools are equipped with a wide range of attachments, from sanding drums and grinding stones to specialized carving bits. Rotary tools are particularly useful for tasks such as removing material quickly, creating intricate details, and smoothing out surfaces.

Another valuable power tool for wood carvers is the angle grinder. These powerful tools feature a spinning abrasive disc that can quickly remove large amounts of material, making them ideal for rough shaping and removing waste wood. Angle grinders are particularly useful for tasks such as creating deep grooves, hollows, and other sculptural elements in wood carvings.

For those looking to add more control and precision to their carving, a scroll saw can be an invaluable tool. Scroll saws feature a thin, narrow blade that can be used to make intricate cuts and follow detailed patterns, making them perfect for tasks such as relief carving and creating delicate, intricate designs.

In addition to these power tools, wood carvers may also utilize other power tools such as die grinders, reciprocating saws, and belt sanders to enhance their carving process. Each tool offers unique capabilities and advantages, allowing carvers to tackle a wide range of projects with greater efficiency and precision.

When using power tools for wood carving, it’s essential to prioritize safety. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment, such as safety glasses, gloves, and a dust mask, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Additionally, it’s crucial to ensure that the power tools are well-maintained and in good working condition to prevent accidents and ensure optimal performance.

Conclusion

In this article we covered the most commonly used types of wood carving tools but there is still some highly specialized tools we didn’t cover here. We hope that you enjoyed reading about wood carving tools and if you want to learn something about sharpening, you can check out our guide on how to sharpen wood carving tools.