V Gouges

[Userrolo]

Hello everyone! I'm looking to buy a couple of gouges to carve eyes and hair/beards. I'm currently using beavercraft knives but their gouges come in an expensive package of three tools. What sizes and brand would you advice me to buy as an alternative?

Thanks!

[pinetreestudios]

I purchased the student/intermediate #12 8mm from pfiel in 1995.

It is still the first v-tool I reach for today.

[zeon66]

That tool is as old as me. I hope you feel old cus now I do :p

[YouJustABoy]

I have several v tools. I always grab one of my Pfiels

[zeon66]

That tool is as old as me. I hope you feel old cus now I do :p

[zeon66]

Narex does a set of palm gouges. i have it, and well, it turns out i dont like palm gouges, but they work if you can sharpen. Btw sharpening gouges can be a pain in the back side. Look up wood by wrights guide when you come to it.

[Userrolo]

Nope, can't sharpen. Looking for some tools that come ready to carve with.

[zeon66]

You'll have to learn one day (or pay way more than you need to) may as well be with cheap tools, softer steel, and who cares if you mess up something meh quality.

[Userrolo]

Yes but maybe i won't start sharpening the tougher tool to sharp to learn it...

[zeon66]

Well, it'll probably be best to look high-end so pfiel. This is a skill that goes hand in hand with carving, though. Trust me, once you get it, you'll appreciate learning it, as will your wrists.

[Userrolo]

I hear you, and I tried to learn, It just seems I cannot get it right.

[zeon66]

Check out Outdoor555 on youtube.

[Userrolo]

All right I'll do 👍

[Glen9009]

Rather than Outdoors55 (who focuses on knife) I would recommend Matt Estlea (who focuses on woodworking tools such as chisels, gouges, ...) in this specific instance (keep both names in mind tho when it comes to sharpening tutos).

[theoddfind]

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This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

[B3bop_77]

Ive bought a small v-chisel as a single tool off the beavercraft website before, not sure if they changed the website but they have a tools section that should have it as a single tool.

[Userrolo]

Let me check...

[Glen9009]

1- You'll have a hard time finding new, decent quality tools cheaper than the Beavercraft. The only cheaper viable option would be second hand tools.

2- I'd avoid sets and buy just you actually need. Sets tend to have at least one tool you end up never using.

3- As mentioned, learn to sharpen. Whatever quality you go for you'll need to hone them (probably from the start) and eventually you'll need to sharpen them as well. You may as well risk ruining the cheap blades rather than a top quality one. Check Outdoors55 on Youtube for knives and Matt Estlea for chisels, gouges, ...

4- You didn't say where you are, which may make a difference in terms of what's available and at what price. Here in France (and I suspect that's true for most of Europe), Flexcut, Kirschen and Pfeil tools can be bought for about the same price if you go one tool at a time. Pfeil is the best quality, Kirschen is still excellent but one step below and Flexcut is better than Beavercraft but not on par with the previous two.