When it comes to carving wood, and if you want to be the best, tools are everything you need. The best tools for carving wood will help bring the best end results possible, making them as excellent as they can be. If you are a beginner to the world of wood carving or even if you have spent a lot of time using a very niche set of tools it may not be completely clear on what particular tools are right for each carving task and designs.
There are dozens of different tools available so it is not as simple as just choosing the best cutting knife and being done with it. Ranging from chisels to full-sized steel blades, each of these individual carving tools for wood has its own practical purposes.
In our list today we are going to be going through 10 of the best possible tools you can find on the market at the moment, and showing what specific job they can be used for and what makes them the best wood carving tools available.
10 Best Wood Carving Tools
1. Gimars 12 Set SK5 Carbon Steel Carving Tools
The Gimars 12 set carbon steel carving tools are great, they contain 3 different walnut-handled cutting tools all high-quality. The hook knife is perfect for round edges, while the chip carving knife allows you to create precise detail. For whittling down large pieces f wood into finer shapes then the sloyd knife is perfect.
Each blade has maximum stability and cutting accuracy with them being built straight into the handles, and for cleaning and maintaining the blades you get a small piece of cow leather that simply wipes away any residue. This kit comes with everything you need, including a basic block of wood to get your practice carves done, and wax that helps keep all of the blades as sharp as possible.
Difficult projects are made easy with the comfortable design of the handles that is long-lasting and durable. You will not slip your hands from these tools or suddenly veer off into a direction you didn’t intend with the amazing production making them the best tool for wood carving.
Material – Steel and Walnut.
Quantity – 3 Tools (+ Accessories).
Weight – 10.7 Ounces.
Things We Like
- Produced with high-quality walnut grips.
- It includes various knives for several cut types.
- Includes sharpening wax.
- Ideal for beginners.
- Simple to polish using cow leather.
2. SCHAAF Wood Carving Tools Set
The Shaaf wood carving knives use a special ash hardwood handles that provide the maximum grip and stability you need, yet still letting you handle all different kinds of wooden materials with the blades that are made from high-quality chromium-vanadium alloy steel.
Inside the kit, there are 12 different razor-sharp wood carving tools giving you a range of different gouges and chisels that work great for both beginners and more seasoned woodworking experts. The entire blade set is packed into a special Schaaf tool roll made from protective plastic and canvas.
The blades have been designed so they can be sharpened so that the best possible results are given with each performance, and only a little maintenance and a few small adjustments are needed.
Overall if you are looking for a mix of quality carving, performance, and style then this kit has everything you need to start you progressing with your wood carving techniques. With the added extras of gouging and chiseling your woodworking skills are guaranteed to increase.
Material – Alloy Chromium-vanadium Steel and Hardwood Ash.
Quantity – 12 Tools (with Case).
Weight – 2.8 Pounds.
Things We Like
- Made with high-quality and strong materials.
- Includes twelve individual, valuable tools.
- Tools can be sharpened at any time.
- Specially-designed flat-sided handles to prevent rolling.
- Protective canvas carrying rolling matt.
3. Mikisyo Power Grip Carving Tools
Mikisyo Power Grip carving tools are a great 5 piece wood carving set that offers all of the basics for beginners, and even returning professionals. The set includes a parting tool, a straight chisel, and three other chisel styles, all inside a custom storage box that helps protect your wood carving set.
The blades are made from laminated steel, that allows better carving and cuts but also increases the strength and durability of the tool. The accuracy and precision are increased for careful handling with the pencil-shaped handles, and with the size, they are placed right in the middle of the standard sizes for ‘large’ and ‘small’ woodcarvers. This gives them a niche size that makes wood carving at any scale really good for most general purposes.
Overall we believe that simplicity is the best way to learn a new skill, especially with woodworking tools. This set has been made for people who want to start in the world of wood carving but are not quite sure what the best wood carving set they should start with.
Material – Carbon Steel and Wood.
Quantity – 5 Tools (with Case).
Weight – 13.6 Ounces.
Things We Like
- All-round medium-sized designs.
- High-quality laminated steel cutting blades.
- Includes a dedicated storage box.
- Has both straight and skew chisels.
- A great choice for beginners.
4. Xacto X5175 Deluxe Woodcarving Set
Xacto X5175 deluxe is a simple woodworking and wood carving set containing a great array of different tools that can be used for nearly any kind of wood-related work. This wood carving set provides you with everything you need such as multiple gouges, blades, routers, along with a solid metal handle to mount them all in.
All the pieces are contained in a wooden storage chest that has been specially designed to hold and protect them in the safest possible way. Perfect carving tool for wood that has a large range and lots of different tools for specific jobs. During your wood carving, you can also make any minor adjustments due to the thin blade design making sure they are not just limited to big slices or indents.
Overall we feel that these carving tools wood are ideal for a range of different projects and hobbyists. This makes them the perfect choice for people who need a general set of tools that they can rely on whatever the tasks.
Material – Metal (with Wooden Chest).
Quantity – 1 Main Tool (with Interchangeable Blades and Storage Chest).
Weight – 227 Grams
Things We Like
- Excellent for multiple different wood carving techniques.
- Varied set of blades.
- Single handle with interchangeable blade choices.
- Includes gouges and routers.
- Great for straightforward woodworking tasks.
5. Mudder Wood Handle Carving Chisels Tools
The Mudder Wood Handle Carving Chisel Toolset is a 17 piece wood carving set that contains a huge range of carrying sized tools allowing them to be used by people of all ages and skill levels. These hand tools have been designed to work with more than wood, being able to handle materials such as cork and clay fairly easy making them a versatile accessory in your tool chest.
For sharpening, polishing, and general maintenance, the wood carving knife set some with 4 whetstones and each tool has its own pen-style wooden handle that helps improve accuracy and precision while carving. The entire set is contained in an EVA storage case that has been made from protective materials that will help increase the lifespan of your wood carving tool collection.
If you want to carve more materials than just wood then this kit contains exactly what you need to get started. Although there is this varied ability to work with different materials, no loss of performance, safety, quality, or precision has been made.
Material – Steel, and Wood.
Quantity – 17 Tools (with EVA Storage Case).
Weight – 11.2 Ounces.
Things We Like
- Intended to manage various material types.
- Built using chic wood and tough steel.
- Simple to polish and clean using whetstones.
- Comes in a strong EVA carrying case.
- Excellent for carving.
6. Flexcut Beginner Palm & Knife Set
The beginners kit from Flexcut contains four palm-sized knives that have been specially designed for convenient use, with easy to hold handles. Included in this wood carving set are two knives, one for cutting and one to add detail into the wood, there is also a 1 sweet gouge and a V tool which help give more specific types of carving and slicing.
To keep everything packed together you also get a free tool roll which makes these carving tools completely portable as well as providing some protection. High carbon steel is used on each blade which improves both durability and the quality of carve you are going to get making them a razor-sharp instrument for cutting different bits of wood.
Having the basics right is always a good way to start and always brings reliability to your work, and this small wood carving set is great for people who are looking for a simple toolset. This is going to be able to handle simple carving tasks without needing to spend loads on a large set with every possible tool where only a handful will probably get used.
Material – High Carbon Steel and Wood.
Quantity – 4 Tools (with Optional Roll).
Weight – 4 Ounces.
Things We Like
- Very sharp carbon steel blades.
- Contains two different carving knives and two other useful tools.
- Easy-to-carry 4-piece set.
- Designed for all-purpose use.
- Ergonomic and precision-focused handle design.
7. Mikisyo Power Grip Carving Tools
This amazing 7 piece carving tool set from Mikisyo is great, it contains 7 individual tools that are all perfectly designed for different kinds of woodworking tasks, including skews, straight chisels, and gouges. Each carving tool has been made at different lengths for handling different tasks and thicknesses of wood. To improve cutting and chiseling strength the tips have been made from laminated steel, this provides razor-sharp cuts without having to apply more pressure than you would naturally.
The handles ergonomic design allows for better reliability through working on awkward projects and overall better comfort in the palm of your hand. The shape of each tool is similar to that of the classic pencil which gives more familiarity to your hand enabling more precision than you would get from a straight flat handle.
On first glance, these tools seem small but they are versatile and great tools to get started with as they can be used on a variety of different projects regardless of whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional, this kind of precise wood manipulation ability is beneficial for all.
Material – Laminated Steel and Wood.
Quantity – 7 Tools (with Case).
Weight – 299 Grams.
Things We Like
- Comes with seven helpful wood carving tools.
- Designed using solid laminated steel.
- Built for accuracy and control.
- Bridges the gap between small and large tool sizes.
- Short, easy-to-handle size.
8. SIMILKY SK7 Carbon Steel Wood Carving Tool Set
Similky has brought out the SK7 range of carbon steel wood carving tools. This set contains 12 different wood carving knives each having their own specific shape and purpose. Each has been designed and produced with protective plastic that minimizes the chance of any accidental injuries, or damage to nearby objects.
Fully ergonomic design is lightweight making any slow, long carving jobs easier to manage as well as protecting your hand from any accidental cuts and slips. As well as all of this the blades are professional level providing the maximum cut abilities and carving quality in nearly any kind of situation regardless of the type of wood you are using to carve for your project.
This set is great, as it will take on nearly any kind of wood with no problems at all making them the perfect option for any kind of project you have going on. kThe extra protection makes any mistakes less of a risk for people who are new to the world of wood carving and are still learning their craft.
Material – Carbon Steel and Wood
Quantity – 12 Tools (with Casing)
Weight – 7.2 Ounces.
Things We Like
- Strong, reliable blades.
- High hardiness for extra durability.
- Plastic covers for better protection.
- Safer-than-normal designs that protect your hand.
- Contains twelve different woodworking tools.
9. BeaverCraft S15 Whittling Wood Carving Kit
The BeaverCraft s15 Whittling wood carving set has been specifically designed for whittling but can double as a great set of tools for carving regardless. The handles with their ergonomic design provide consistency in your cut and hand comfort and protection when you are working busily with any kind of wood.
The combination of detailing knives, cutting knives, and roughing knives are all brought together into a 3 part set for extra convenience. Each carving knife is perfect to be used on a wide range of different wood types and can all be cleaned, maintained, and protected with the leather that is included in the set, along with the polishing compound mixture.
The designs are durable and are able to continue to carve even after heavy use due to the tough carbon steel they have been made from. This material also helps make these blades near enough indestructible with nothing much being able to damage them. Each tool has its own purpose making them the perfect group to have in one set being able to complete basically any kind of wood carving style.
Material – High Carbon Steel and Wood
Quantity – 3 Tools (with Accessories)
Weight – 10.4 Ounces.
Things We Like
- Made with strong materials.
- Excellent for whittling and carving varied wood types.
- Simple to polish.
- Designed to be small and sharp.
- Multi-functional and simple.
Best Wood Carving Tool
From the list we have created above we believe that the Xacto X5175 deluxe simple woodworking and wood carving set is the best out there at the moment. It is excellent for multiple different wood carving techniques not just leaving you with one style choice. It also comes with a variety of different blades. The handle is on its own but is compatible with all of the different blades, this is a good feature as your hand doesn’t have to get used to lots of different shaped handles with different sizes.
In simple it is a great straightforward set of blades that is great at different woodworking tasks. Something that both beginners or more experienced users can both use and enjoy.
Cheapest Wood Carving Tool Available
From our list overall we believe that the Similky SK7 range of carbon steel wood carving tools is the best cheapest wood carving tool available. It comes at a low price but doesn’t mean that anything has been compromised when it comes to performance and production. This set also comes as a 12 piece which gives you more options for your money being able to complete lots of different tasks with no problems at all looking for the specific tool for the job. All included in a protective case that is great for quick and easy tidying away.
Considerations Choosing Wood Carving Tools
Price
A good product is always something that is going to pay for itself in the long run, and there are always two major factors that influence this. The first one is the price. It is always good to remember that many of these carving tools come as part of a set or a kit so the customer will purchase more than one knife at a tie, and this is normally reflected when it comes to the price.
Quality
The second factor that needs to be considered is the quality of the product, and this can change form person to person. No two people will see a product the same way and every set that you buy may be more or less useful to the next person who is going to buy it. It’s not practical to buy every set that is available and then decide which is the best for you so due to this the quality is something you may have to settle on, and if the product doesn’t match to the quality you are looking for its always good to hope that it was one of the cheaper options available.
Wood Carving Tools FAQS
What are the best wood carving tools for beginners?
If you are new to the world of wood carving then it is advised that you opt for a simpler model, and in many cases these are chisels. Chisels have the same cutting style that you would get using knives and can work well in most woodworking tasks. They don’t include the physical risk that is associated with the knives and it is almost impossible to cut yourself accidentally.
Another great thing is that these chisels can be bought in sets which saves you time, getting a variety of useful chisels without having to hunt down different specific tools, or research chisels individually.
What are the best wood carving chisels?
The best kind of wood carving chisels and sets when it comes to these kinds of craving knives is what is the best price and what is going to be most useful to you. The price mainly dictates whether a set is worth the cost, so if you can find a set that is going to provide you with two or three relatively good knives at a reasonable price then that is going to be extremely useful.
It is also beneficial to see what kind of specific wood carving you are going to be completing the most. If you are someone who doesn’t like the idea of creat things such as wooden bowls then a set with lots of different spoon carving tools is probably not going to be that useful to you. It is always best to research before diving into a purchase based on the price alone.
What wood carving tools do I need?
On the market when it comes to wood carving tools there isn’t just one type fits all, as a lot of different tools complete specific jobs some being only suited to one certain purpose. A big example of this is gouges. Gouges have been designed with a curved chisel blade that helps scoop out wood creating things such as bowls, cups, and other curved or intended objects.
Another example of a specific tool is straight chisel. These chisels are great for creating direct holes or bashes in a surface, or even for cracking it completely in half. Carving knives are another option, and they do exactly what you would expect from the name being used to slice up and carve into thicker pieces of wood, or even to create detail on different surfaces.
Spoon carving tools are another useful wood carving device purely designed to create bowls and any other surfaces that are curved by scooping out any wood.
Having the correct wood carving tool for the specific job is very important, as even if a carving knife will complete the same task as a spoon or chisel it won’t complete them as efficiently or effectively. A great example is using a detailed knife that is normally great for making precise and accurate details on a surface whereas a regular wood carving knife is more helpful slicing up the wood.
This being said a small wood carving knife may only be designed for thinner pieces of wood which means it will be good for providing detail onto larger and thicker types of wood. The same thing can be said for the use of chisels and spoons, they are simply designed for different things and in the long run both of the tools can be damaged to a dramatic effect if they are being used for the wrong kind of job. The chisel spoon goes in at an angle whilst the chisel is specifically designed to endure more brute force working directly into the surface of the wood.
Some carving jobs will always be more difficult than others and don’t always need a specific tool for the job to be completed. An example is spoon carving, hence the name normally always needs a spoon carving tool to be completed, whereas chip carving can be a lot easier and may only need a regular chisel to be completed.
