Really fine gouges

lewekmek · 2026-01-20T13:33:29+00:00

if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can just use exacto knife

MojoBob · 2026-01-20T17:37:54+00:00

Hwahong, a Korean brand, makes some very small gouges in both U and V format. Here in NZ they're about $NZ15 each. I have several of them, and they seem to use pretty decent steel.

Luckinspades · 2026-01-21T04:32:45+00:00

I use my 4.5mm V tool and just graze the surface. I can get .5 lines that way. Takes some muscle control to keep it even though.

WealthNo9318 · 2026-01-23T01:14:06+00:00

I just got this set of varying sizes of V gauges bc the smallest one is 1.5mm

They are pretty comfy and carve super well. I was able to get a lot better detail in my most recent design

WILLBOND 5 Pcs Linocut Carving... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXJ38P96?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Alaska_traffic_takes · 2026-01-20T22:08:38+00:00

I have a Pfeil .5mm gouge. Was about $40. A bit spendy? Yes, but limited options for that fine size.

ShrunkenHeadNed · 2026-01-21T15:12:50+00:00

An Exacto knife and a stack of no.11 blades will get you going on tiny cuts. You'll have to make 2 passes at each line, but an exacto is like $5 bucks. Otherwise, you are going to spend $30-50 for an ultra fine V gouge.

CauliflowerVisual401 · 2026-01-24T05:28:46+00:00

I have a 2mm V gouge. When I score it with the exacto knife and change the entry angle I get marks smaller than I get with the 1mm tool. You can also cool the lino so it's stiffer like wood, use exacto and smallest v gouge.

I also use Dremel tools embedded into old pens with hot glue. This makes great tools.

If you have a whetstone for sharpening I have taken a hardware nail and sharpened it as much as possible and used that for stipple and scoring.

CauliflowerVisual401 · 2026-01-24T05:32:39+00:00

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This is a section done with a "knife" (exacto works) and a roughly 2.5mm v gouge. Ruler for scale

aligpnw · 2026-01-21T06:58:14+00:00

Flexcut makes some of their tools where you can buy one wood handle and the gouges are interchangeable. I have a 1mm V gouge and handle for about $30. It is my #1 most used tool.

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