There are many types of wood carving sets. For a beginner the most highly recommended wood carving set is the standard type. This set may include all the basic necessities to create beautiful wood carvings and is simple enough for a beginner to use.
A standard set should include a combination of safety supplies such as a finger or thumb guards, along with a small lightweight pair of goggles. Also included in a standard carving set is a good knife. This is an essential piece of equipment for wood carvers. Most standard kits include a knife that is between one and a half to one and seven eighths inch blades. A good set may include both sizes. The wood carving knife most normally comes with a thin handle for good grip and comfort. A well made quality carving knife is the most important piece of equipment a wood carver owns. Carving knives come in a wide variety of styles and sizes. Finding one that fits the hand comfortably is important.
Another piece of equipment in a standard wood carving kit is a variety of sharpening tools. This piece of equipment is as important as the carving knife because a knife that has no way of being sharpened is a useless piece of equipment. When using a dull knife you increase the chances that you will get cut, and you will not be able to produce well made carvings with a dull knife. A sharpening stone is what most wood carvers choose to use as a sharpening tool. Along with the sharpening stone you should also have a strop on hand.
Wood is of course, the most essential part of carving and many standard carving sets come with sample pieces of either butternut or basswood. These types of wood are a favorite among wood carvers. Because basswood is soft, it is easy to carve which works well for beginners that are new to the trade. Butternut is also a soft wood with a very nice grain which aides in turning out high quality carvings.
Woodcarving gouges come in a variety of sizes. Most standard wood carving sets will include at least one gouge that is a standard of miniature size. Miniature gouges are used for carving the small, fine work that requires great detail.
