Tips On Buying Woodcarving Gouges

In this article, Jim Hingst describes a common sense way to buy gouges and other wood carving tools, and explains the terminology used by the manufacturers.  

By Jim Hingst

Before you order a complete set of wood carving tools, please read this article. In the first place, there is no such thing as a complete set.  A typical set of wood carving tools includes from 6 to 18 different gouges. A tool manufacturer, such as Pfeil, has a product range of a couple of hundred different wood carving tools.  Now that’s what I call a complete set! 

The distributors and manufacturers of gouges will promote buying sets of tools as the most economical way to buy an assortment of gouges at a fantastic price. In a way they are right.  At an average cost per tool, the price can’t be beat. The problem is that the so-called complete set of tools will probably include some gouges that you will never use. And on top of that, I can guarantee that the set will not have everything you need.  

A more sensible way to buy wood carving tools is to only buy the basic tools required for the particular type of carving that you will do. Then add to your collection, just buying the tools that you need. The tools that you will need to do relief carving will be quite different from the tools that you will use for carving letters. If you want to know what you will need to carve a sign, my advice is to ask an experienced sign carver for advice. If you want to be a sculptor, ask a wood sculptor what he uses.

Buy the Best Woodcarving Gouges and Tools You Can Afford. 

At the time you ask an experience carver what type of gouges he uses, also ask what brands he recommends.  Some of the best brands include Henry Taylor, Ashley Isles, Dastra, Pfeil, Stubai and Two Cherries. I own tools from each one of these companies.  None of the tools from these manufacturers is cheap. Prices typically range between $30 and $50 per gouge.  

Wood carving tools from any of the premier manufacturers are worth the investment. If you care for these tools, they will probably last your lifetime. And you can pass these tools on to your children (who will most likely sell them at a garage sale for pennies on the dollar).  Whatever you do, do not buy on price. And do not buy used tools on e-bay sight unseen. In both cases, you will probably end up with junk.

The overall size of professional woodcarving gouges is generally 9” to 12”.  Gouges made for hobbyists are much shorter. I suggest buying the best quality professional grade tools that you can afford. In shopping for woodcarving chisels and gouges, many of the terms used to describe the tools can be confusing to the novice. To help you shop for the right tools, I have defined some of the basic terms that you will encounter.

The Sweep of the Gouge.  

The sweep or cut of the blade refers to its curved profile of the cutting edge and is expressed as a numerical value.  The straight cutting edge of a chisel has a sweep of #1.   Blades with either a #2 sweep or a #3 sweep have only a very slight curve to their cutting edges.   As the number of the sweep increases, the curve of the cutting edge becomes more pronounced. A narrow width #11 gouge, which has a “U” shaped cutting edge, is often referred to as a veiner, while wide width #11 gouges are called fluters.



The sweep describes the curvature of the cutting edge, expressed as a numerical value. The cutting edge of the #3 gouge on the left has a very slight curve.  The #10 gouge in the middle has a very pronounced cutting edge.  The V-Parting tool on the right combines two chisel blades in one tool joined at a 60⁰ V-shaped angle.  

The Sheffield or English and Continental Numbering Systems

Please be aware that numbering systems can vary from one brand of wood carving tool to another.  In particular, the nomenclature used to identify gouges by manufacturers in England differs from that used by manufacturers on the continent. To illustrate the difference, please refer to the chart below comparing the numbering systems used to identify the cutting edges of straight gouges.

Sheffield or  English  Numbering System	Continental Numbering System
#3	#2
#4	#3
#5	N/A
#6	#5
#7	#7
#8	#8
#9	#9

Shank. Gouges are also available with shanks that are either straight or bent in different shapes.  The most commonly used chisels and gouges have a straight shaft with a uniform width along its entire length. 

Some gouges feature straight narrow shafts, which are flared at the cutting edge. These are called fishtail gouges.  Used to make deep cuts, long bent gouges feature a shank which is bent along its entire length.   Gouges, which are only bent for the first third of the shank, are called “spoons”.  Spoon gouges are useful for scooping out wood in tightly confined concave spaces.   Back bent gouges, which have a shaft curved with a reverse bend, are designed for cutting convex shapes.

The shank of long bent gouges, pictured on top, is bent along its entire length, spoon gouges are only bent for the first third of the shank, pictured on the bottom.

Tool Handles. Wood carving tool handles vary in length, circumference and shape from one manufacturer to another. Handles of gouges and chisels for tools manufacturer on the European continent are typically octagonal.  Wood carving tools manufactured in England are generally round. Pictured in the photograph below are gouges from six manufacturers showing the differences in handle design.  Some carvers prefer the octagonal shape because it prevents the tool from easily rolling off of a table. They also believe that the octagonal shape gives them a better grip. Personally I like tools with longer and thicker handles, because I have very large hands and the bigger handles are easier for me to grip. 

Note the difference in handle design among the gouges in the above photograph.  Beginning at the lower left, the brands of gouges pictured are Stubai, Dastra, Two Cherries (Kirschen), Pfeil, Henry Taylor and Ashley Isles.  The Two Cherries gouge has a steel ring or collar at the top of the handle, which helps prevent the wood from splitting when used with a mallet.

Rockwell Hardness. Manufacturers will sometimes specify the hardness of the steel used in the manufacturing of their tools. Measurements of hardness are expressed as a numerical value on the Rockwell scale. The cutting edge of the gouge must be hard enough for carving harder woods, but not so hard that the steel becomes brittle, which makes it prone to chipping. The ideal hardness rating for woodcarving tools is between 58 and 61. 

Wood Carving Tools for Sign Makers

For basic sign making projects, you do not need many wood carving tools, when you get started. Having a V-Parting tool is indispensable for most jobs.  If you are carving incised letters, I recommend having an assortment of #2 straight gouges. These are some of my favorite tools. For carving designs in relief, #5 and #7 gouges will allow you to make deep cuts to quickly and efficiently remove excess wood. Below is a list of some basic tools for sign makers.  As you continue carving, you will gradually add to your collection.

V-Parting tool 8mm

#2 6mm gouge

#2 12mm gouge

#2 18mm gouge

V-Parting tool 8mm

# 5 6mm gouge

# 5 12mm gouge

# 7 6mm gouge

# 7 12mm gouge

Related Woodcarving Articles

Hingst Art Photo Album
Using a Mini Angle Grinder for Woodcarving
Woodcarving Tool Care
Thinning Paste Wax for Easier Application
Applying a Wiping Varnish to Your Carving
Using Epoxy Clay to Correct Woodcarving Mistakes
Safety Rules for Angle Grinders
Lowering the  Cutting Angle of Woodcarving Gouges
Undercutting to Create Drama in Relief Carving

Sharpening Chip Carving Knives

Finishing with Tung Oil

Carving High Density Urethane Signage

Using Chip Carving Knives in Letter Carving

Which Woodcarving Tools Do You Need

Tips on Carving Western Red Cedar

Carving a Green Man

Carving and Gilding a Cedar Sign

Mold Making & Casting Sign Appliques

Woods for Carving

Safety Rules for Woodcarvers

Woodcarving Vise Swivels 360⁰
Glue Selection for Woodworking

CLICK HERE FOR HINGST SIGN POST ARTICLES IN PDF FORMAT

Vinyl Application Videos

Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link

Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link

Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link

Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films.  Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link

3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link

Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free.  Click to Link

Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link

Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link

About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2016 Jim Hingst