[Woodcarver] beginner $50 tools

[Lkdhvt at aol.com]

Should beginner's start with a beginner's (inexpensive) carving set or go  
right
to the $50 each tools ?
 
No No NO to starting with sets and/or $50 each tools.
 
In most of the classes I teach I tell beginners to start with a basic  
straight blade bench knife.  Then buy tools one at a time as they need  them.  If 
you buy a "set" of tools when you first start out___ you will  usually find you 
only use a few of the tools in the set.  I often tell  people to buy a tool as 
they need it for a project--i.e.-need a small palm v  tool-buy it.  If you 
only buy individual tools as you need them-over a  period of time you will find 
you build a good usable collection.  As far as  brand, I think is a matter of 
personal preference.  Many people like the  flexcut tools--but I am not fond 
of their handles, so I buy the blades and make  my own handles.  Have a couple 
of flea market "finds" I really  like.  I have some of the old Marples tools I 
bought new in the early  70's and I really like them.  The ones they make 
today--I find the quality  is very poor.  Hope this helps a bit.
I could go on for a long time with the tool dribble.  Feel free to  contact 
me off list and I will try to help as much as possible.
 
 
Don H in  VT
_http://woodcarversdepot.com/_ (http://woodcarversdepot.com/) 



**************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.     
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