The Complete Guide to Steel Types for Whittling Knives After years of crafting and testing wood carving tools, we've learned that the steel in your whittling knife blade is the foundation of every successful carving project. While beginners often focus on handle comfort or blade shape, the type of steel determines whether your knife will take a razor edge, hold that edge through hours of carving, and respond predictably to your sharpening efforts. Understanding steel types isn't just academic knowledge – it's practical wisdom that will save you frustration and elevate your carving experience. Let's explore what makes certain steels exceptional for whittling and how to choose the right option for your skill level and projects. Can Any Knife Be...
I once had an experienced carver tell me that a good mallet is a wood carver's best friend. Before I began wood carving, that statement always confused me a bit. Do I need a mallet for wood carving? Isn't a mallet just meant to give you some extra power so you can remove lot's of wood quickly? As I started doing some beginner relief carvings and wood spirit carvings, I quickly learned the importance of a good mallet. For me, it was the Schaaf Tools Precision Mallet, which I consider the best wood carving mallet for beginners. Choosing the right mallet can transform your carving experience from frustrating and tiring to controlled and enjoyable. Whether you're learning relief carving, chip...
When it comes to wood carving, like many other crafts, it’s important to properly care for your tools. The way you store them, clean them, and sharpen them makes a significant difference in how long they will last and how well they will perform. Learning the tricks of the trade isn’t just about carving technique; it’s also about consistent and concise tool maintenance. Check out some common carving tool FAQs below to brush up on care and maintenance for your wood-carving tools. How Do You Store Wood-Carving Tools? The first step in proper tool maintenance is knowing how to store your knives, chisels, gouges, and other tools correctly. If you have been keeping all your tools together in a box...
When using chisels and gouges, the mallet you choose is a critical part of getting the cuts you want. Learn more about how to choose the best wood carving mallet in our article here.
Not all chisel blades are created equal. Any wood carver who has experience using a professional quality gouge versus a "Harbor Freight" alternative knows that. So what's the difference? Or more specifically, why do the two cut and feel so different? The steel holds the answer. In this article, we explore how professionals Joe Dillett and Dick Belcher test the metal of their wood carving tools (literally), as they demonstrate on Schaaf Tools gouges. The Spark When Wood Carving Illustrated first got their hands on our 12 piece beginner carving chisels, they sent the set to Dick Belcher, of Belcher Carving Supply, to test the steel quality. I remember hearing the chisels passed the spark test, and Dick was impressed...
