I'm looking to get my hands on five Pfeil gouges for relief carving. I've seen lists from Mary May and used Schaaf gouges in the past (which I didn't love). I recently picked up a five-piece set from Flexcut, but I want to build a more professional collection. What sizes and numbers do you recommend, and why?
3 Answers
The sizes you choose really depend on what kind of carving you do. Initially, I went with the Mary May list, and they were great, but I found them a bit small once I started on larger projects. If you're looking for quality, Pfeil is solid, but Auriou is even better if you can swing it.
What works for you may differ based on your style and the type of wood you use. I also began with Schaaf, and later switched to Mary's set based on advice I received: only get gouges as you need them. Fast forward seven years, I now have 32 gouges, mostly Pfeil, and I'm carving signs professionally! Don't overlook the FlexCut tools though; I recently grabbed their power carver gouges, and they're a game changer for shaping quickly and precisely.
I started with a 12-piece beginner set from Pfeil, and while I'm still learning, these five pieces have become my go-tos. I've done a few relief carvings and currently working on an in-the-round statue. They've really helped me get a grip on the craft!
Totally agree! I have a mix of 4-10 mm and 1.5-4 mm gouges, and depending on my project, I usually end up using just one set and not even touching the other.