A wood carving tool is a parameter, called a tree branch, which is physically and metaphorically inserted into a wood. These trees branch can be very thick or thin, depending on who you ask!
Typically, they are classified by their length: chopstick-type tree branches, craft pencils, medieval broad swords, and gouges. More specialized tools such as serrated knives and fine gouges are considered forestry or foresting tools.
Chopsticks and craft pencils are typically short tree branches which are treated to create a thicker edge on the tool. These may be used for all kinds of wood carving including furniture making.
The longer trees branches typically have the more decorative tails that are carved on them. These tails are used to aid in cutting through the wood and creating the shape of the item you want to carve.
Contents:
Hook knives
Hook knife is one of the most important types of wood carving tools. It has several uses, so we will look at them all!
The hook knife is typically used for cutting paper or cloth material to create bags, shirts, and the like. It is also a very useful tool for cleaning up small errors in your carving, like cutaway shapes.
But it can also be used to make big cuts, like in this picture of a maple tree. The thick blade was necessary to make this big a hole!
The third use of the hook knife is as a utility tool. You can use it as an exacto style tool to clean up small errors in your wood carving, like missing a bit of material or overcutting a shape.
There are many different kinds of hook knives, but here are some basic types that may help you choose the one best for you: fixed-blade; Slip joint; & portable joint.
Skewers
A staple of most wood carving diets is the use of skewers. These small, sharpened twists of wood or metal are used to transfer zones of imagery onto a surface.
They can be used to prepare food or art, as well as for wood carving. A few different types of skewers are available, but the one that is most commonly used is wooden.
These can be dipped in glue and then carved, or simply left out until needed. The other option is cutout style skewers, where the image is carved into the wood and then put on top of the piece.
Skewers are important tools to have around for different reasons. Some use them just for preparation, others use them just for transport.
Chisels
A chisel is a flat, serrated blade used to cut. Chisels can be shaped or serrated in different ways. Some are flush-cut, while others create rounded corners or pointed ends to the chisel.
Chisels are typically stored face down to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating on the blade. This is why some chisels have a disk-like shape instead of a flat-top design.
A chip-carving tool is used for creating long, slender carvings such as poles for furniture or vines for a decorative effect. These tools are typically shaped like a V with the top end slightly thicker than the rest.
The difference in thicknesses ensures that the tool does not break when placed under pressure during carving. Depending on how heavy the job is, having a chip-carving tool will save you from having to use your knife more than once.
V-tools
A carver’s V-tool is a serrated blade that can be put to use. It can be mounted on a forearm, leg, or head to carve a smooth line.
While most carvers use a straight-edged tool to cut through the wood, the serrated tools can help add subtle shape to your work. They can also help protect the wood from being cut down in the process.
The leg v-tool can be used to make knee-high boots or shoes. The head v-tool can be used to create hats, masks, and other face sculptures. Both pieces are hard and thick so they do not need much rounding out or smoothing out during carving.
Turners tools
A turner is an important wood carving tool. It is a long, thin piece of lumber or wood cut on a sharp angle and placed under another object to be carved at an angle.
When making a turns, it isimportant to make them on firm ground. You want your space to support the weight of the turn and not collapse due to gravity. This happens when you put your turn under the edge of another material such as pine or hickory.
These are also calledrouters or rasps depending on what type you use. These are used to make cuts on large pieces of wood like a floor frame or bed frame. They can also be used to make cuts on smaller pieces of wood like a side table or end table.
Lastly, these are called saws depending on which one we are talking about! These are used to make cuts on smaller pieces of wood like a bookcase or bed platform.
Wood carving tools kit
There are two main types of carving tools: hand and power. Both have their benefits and both can be very useful.
The difference is in how you use them. When using a household knife to carve, the user puts their faith in the blade to cut smoothly and evenly. By using a block or wire saws, hands are required to help determine whether the shape is correct or not.
With power tools, like the router or jig saw, you are much more careful with the tool. You are also more likely to over-drive it or break it while trying to make a hole.
Given that both hands and machines require care when doing wood carving, there is no need for most people to use two different wood carving tools. However, with two hands being needed with the machines versus only one with the hand planes, there is still value in having two kinds of wood carving tools.
Plastic mallets
A soft, pliable material such as foam or paper is used as the die to shape wood into a column, shape, or shape into an animal.
Wood sculpting tools can be divided into two main categories: chisels and gouges. Chisels are typically round in shape and can be straight or tapered. Gouges are typically narrow and tapered with a rounded tip.
In making animals such as animals or birds, most sculptors use chisels with a round face and tail and carved-on feet. In making objects like tables, shelves, or baskets, sculptors use gouges with a round top and cut-out sides to hold the wood in place.
Hammers
A hammer is one of the most important tools you can use for wood carving. There are many different types of hammers, but only a few are listed here.
Most people begin their wood carving journey using the soft-knees or soft-hands method. This means you hold the hammer in one hand and grip the nail with the other. This allows you to move your hands up and down the nail as you twist it.
You can also use a heavy metal hammer, like an 18-gauge, or a railroad spikehammer. A railroad spikehammer looks more like a huge pencil, and is typically much heavier than a soft-hands or soft-knees hammer.
Both of these tools can make big impacts when working with hardwood, as they can be quite impactful!
The third way to use a hammer is to use it as a plane guide. You put your tool in place, then slide your work along it until it is fully satisfied.