Either you’re creating – carving a wooden bowl , or you’re carving and shaping something else in this woodworking area , to have a couple of good carving gouges , is surely essential .
There are “thousand” brands of carving gouges and whoever says that he has tested all , he isn’t telling the truth , for sure and this applies for me also .
You can have carving experiences with many gouge brands and several types from friend carpenters , et.c , but to claim that you’ve tested 100% and have a solid opinion for all the gouges you suggest , it isn’t so good in my opinion .
I’ll give you some carving suggestions , many of them(not all ) have passed from my hands and with many types of them , i have some experience with .
See the complete post for the carving gouges , their sizes , their sizes , their types and some “secrets” you should know , HERE .
For your start you shouldn’t take many gouges , spend much money .
A turning gouge and a couple of generic , a spindle and a bowl gouge will be fine , in order to get i touch with the gouge carving feeling .
This Faceicy turning generic gouge is just fine to start your lathe turnings . It’s more than a “decent” purchase having the appropriate steel , the HSS and it’s thick enough as i like for giving the right feeling in my palm .
I’ve used many times this type of gouge and i like most the flute shape tang goes , all the way till the handle . I also like that for a not expensive gouge ( 20$ bucks ) , it’s sturdy way more than you think .
It has the classic edge arc as a turning gouge and the heavy – duty feeling and this is good for me .
The handle suits very nice in hands , the grip is ok and i don’t think you’ll find a theme in here .
Make your checks and get it from Amazon in here .
You already know that i like much the Japanese blades – tools and this Michihamono 9mm U – shaped gouge is a nice example of the Japanese quality and efficiency .
The steel quality is very good of course(HSS) and the handle is straight shaped for detailed carving with accuracy .
It’s for more small jobs and carvings , having a wider U – arc shallow edge .
See more and get it on Amazon .
Having the same approach , but having a longer handle( but straight shaped ) , this gouge from the Michihamono again is another nice gouge . The rest are the same : it’s 9mm , U – shaped and the metal is the HSS ( high – speed steel ) .
See more and pick it on Amazon.
A very unique shaped carving gouge is this Stryi Short Bent Gouge 0.8 Inch and the spoon type shape of this gouge , is capable to create specific and difficult shapes – diggings .
This professional carving gouge is Top for carving spoons , bowls and this approach woodcrafts , having a very good hardened alloy steel .
The steel contains chromium for excellent rust resistance ( 13% and more the steel is stainless ) and it’s a W108 carbon steel , you won’t have to shsrpen very often .
The oak handle is well designed for high accuracy and comfort feeling , thing that it’s visible from the photos very clear .
Take a look and get it if you like from the Amazon here .
If you want to check the whole range of carving gouges on Amazon go in here .
I’ll update with more advanced gouge suggestions . I think the above ones are just fine to start getting the general carving gouges idea .
Who hasn’t used “tons” of not very expensive tools , but very capable ones ?
Keep woodworking and the happiness is certain .