In painting, the paint color pallet is the tool that is used for creating the depth and light of the piece. However, in wood carving, you must rely on the wood’s unique color pallet and the shadows created by each cut. For a beginner, your average wood carving tools set comes in 12 or 24 packs, with an assortment of tools that we’ll talk about as we discuss how to use wood carving tools.
Beginner’s Set of Wood Carving Toolsading 2
In painting, the paint color pallet is the tool that is used for creating the depth and light of the piece. However, in wood carving, you must rely on the wood’s unique color pallet and the shadows created by each cut. For a beginner, your average wood carving tools set comes in 12 or 24 packs, with an assortment of tools that we’ll talk about as we discuss how to use wood carving tools.
- Carving Knife – It comes in different shapes and sizes. This tool is used for cutting, paring, and carving wood pieces. The form of its blade determines its purpose, while the size determines how beautiful the details will be.
- Bench Knife – This one is a useful wood carving knife with a short blade like a scalpel that is about 3/4 of an inch or less. You can use this for getting a bit more up close with a piece of wood. Bench knife allows you to get in and dig out the wood in a way that can be used either for detail work or slicing away larger chips of wood.
How to use wood carving tools like knives? When you are working with a small carving, hold your wood in the left hand and the knife on the right. Keep your left hand behind the knife, while you use your left thumb on the blunt side of your blade to control the cut. With your thumb still, rotate your right hand and wrist to cut.
- Gouge – It is a simple but essential tool used for wood carving. Every carver, whether amateur or professional, has to have this tool. How to use wood carving tools like gouge? This has a curved cutting edge that is used to create deep or shallow hollows and curves on the wood.
- Veiner – This one is a small gouge that has a U–shaped cutting edge. This type is great for detail work. It is used for making deep round hollows or round curves. You can also use it as a gouge.
- V-Tool – A tool that is similar to veiner but has a V-shape, not a U-shape. It is also great for detail work and is excellent for certain types of wood carving applications.
- Riffler – This is a double-ended filing tool where the grip is between the two filing edges. It is a small curved file that can be used for getting in too hard to reach places that may be oddly shaped.
- Carver’s Mallet – It is used for taping chisels and gouges to drive the tools deep into the wood piece. Carver’s mallet is round in structure and is usually made of hardwood or sometimes plastic.
- Coping Saw – It is very handy when it comes to wood carving and sculpture, as it can get into tight spaces. Coping saw is a hand-held saw used to cut intricate shapes.
Create Your Masterpiece
Aside from being an ancient form of art, wood carving is also very unique. Yes, it can be tiring, but it is definitely rewarding. The use of manual wood carving tools is essential. Now that you already know how to use wood carving tools, you can start and make your own unique wood carving masterpiece! Find out more about wood carving tools here!