A wood carving tool set contains different kinds of knives, gouges, and chisels you can use for your creative projects including wood and art projects, home repair, sculpting, clay and soapstone projects.
Carving tools are simple to use, and you should have an easy time with them whether you’re an expert, a hobbyist, or simply getting started with woodcarving.
When buying your set, ensure the blades and handles are made of high-quality material.
To help you get the best tool set for your creative carving projects, and budget read through our top 7 wood carving tool set reviews and buying guide.
In this post:
- 7 Best Wood Carving Tool Sets – Review
- 1. Schaaf Full Size – Best Professional Wood Carving Tool Set
- 2. Flexcut KN700 – Best Custom Wood Carving Tool Set
- 3. Mikisyo 10609003286 – Best Mid-range Wood Carving Tool Set
- 4. Gimars SK5 – Best Budget Wood Carving Tool Set
- 5. Ramelson Tools – Best Beginner Wood Carving Tool Set
- 6. General Tools 1293 – Light-duty Wood Carving Tool Set
- 7. Kereda 4336912207 – Versatile Wood Carving Tool Set
- How to Buy the Best Wood Carving Tool Sets
- Conclusion
7 Best Wood Carving Tool Sets – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Schaaf Full Size (Best Professional) |
| |
 | 2. Flexcut KN700 (Best with Custom Blades) |
| |
 | 3. Mikisyo 10609003286 (Best with Mid-range Balance) |
| |
 | 4. Gimars SK5 (Best Budget) |
| |
 | 5. Ramelson Tools (Best for Beginner) |
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 | 6. General Tools 1293 (Light-duty) |
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 | 7. Kereda 4336912207 (Versatile) |
|
PRODUCT |
|---|
1. Schaaf Full Size (Best Professional)
|
2. Flexcut KN700 (Best with Custom Blades)
|
3. Mikisyo 10609003286 (Best with Mid-range Balance)
|
4. Gimars SK5 (Best Budget)
|
5. Ramelson Tools (Best for Beginner)
|
6. General Tools 1293 (Light-duty)
|
7. Kereda 4336912207 (Versatile)
|
1. Schaaf Full Size – Best Professional Wood Carving Tool Set
Photo: Schaaf Wood Carving Tools
- Number of tools: 12
- Material: Steel blade, wooden handle
Schaaf Full Size is the best professional wood carving tool set because it comes with 12 premium blades for a variety of applications, is the highest-rated set on our list, and is built to last.
You get 12 high-quality blades made of chromium-vanadium steel alloy with Rockwell C60 hardening. These blades are built for maximum durability, heavy-duty professional uses, and to remain sharp for as long as possible.
The blades’ handles are made of hardwood ash and are octagonal to provide optimal grip and prevent rolling from your work surfaces. The handles are also long and won’t pose any problems when holding them.
This set is offered with a 100% replacement guarantee to ensure your purchase is risk-free. You also get a free eBook with plenty of woodcarving ideas, tips, and tricks you can apply in your projects.
Although Schaaf Full Size is the best wood carving set for professionals, its blades were noted to be, sometimes, dull even for first use. If you encounter dull blades, you may need to sharpen them afresh before using them.
At about 3 pounds, it is also the heaviest set on our list, so you will feel it in your hand especially after carrying it around for long. Despite these hiccups, it is the best professional wood carving set you can buy today.
Pros:
- 12 premium steel blades for durability
- Octagonal handles for firm grip and roll prevention
- 100% replacement guarantee
- Comprehensive eBook guide
Cons:
- Blades may be dull
- Can feel weighty when carrying around
2. Flexcut KN700 – Best Custom Wood Carving Tool Set
Photo: Flexcut
- Number of tools: 9
- Material: Steel blade, wooden handl
Flexcut KN700 is a unique set of customs wood carving tools you can use for normal and specialized projects.
This set comes with 9 blades; 4 knives, and 5 palm tools. The knives include 1 detail, 1 pelican, 1 cutting, and 1 mini-cutting knife. You also get 1 V-tool, 1 skew, and 3 gouges to complete the set.
Its blades are made of premium razor-sharp steel and are ready to use right out of the box.
The whole set is very lightweight at only 7 ounces. It is ideal for carrying around for use whenever your creativity kicks in, and for offsite creative projects, you can do individually or with others.
For ease of storage and organizing this unique set, a high-quality wooden case is included.
Although Flexcut KN700 is the best custom wood carving tool set, it comes at a premium price that may not be ideal for budget or first-time users. However, if the price is not an issue, this is one of the best custom sets you can buy.
Also, the palm tools have smooth rounded handles, which are prone to rolling off benches and other surfaces, so you may need to keep an eye on them when in use.
Pros:
- 9 custom blades to support creative projects
- Lightweight for portability
- Razor-sharp steel blades for precise cutting
- Wooden case for ease of storage and organization
Cons:
- Expensive compared to rival sets
- Palm tools’ handles are prone to rolling
3. Mikisyo 10609003286 – Best Mid-range Wood Carving Tool Set
Photo: Mikisyo
- Number of tools: 7
- Material: Steel blade, wooden handle
Mikisyo 10609003286 positions itself as a mid-range wood carving tool set. Mikisyo describes this set as a “gap filler”, which sits between palm-handled and full-sized carving tools.
The set comes with 7 pieces, which are a mix of different tools including gouges, chisels, and a V-parting tool. Its blades are made of laminated steel, which is durable and efficient in making precise cuts. They also stay sharp for long.
This set is very reasonably priced compared to other more expensive models with fewer tools. You will be getting great value for your money by investing in this high-quality set.
The wooden handles on these blades have a unique design, which makes them comfortable in the handles. The handles also help to maximize grip so that the blades’ precision is enhanced.
Although Mikisyo 10609003286 is the best mid-range wood carving tool set, they are not ideal for heavy-duty use, such as carving hardwoods. However, for simple projects involving softwoods, this set exceeds expectations.
Pros:
- Optimal balance between palm-handled and full-sized carving tools.
- 7 multi-purpose carving tools
- Laminated steel blade for durability, sharpness and precision cutting
- Great value for money
Cons:
- Not ideal for heavy-duty wood carving
4. Gimars SK5 – Best Budget Wood Carving Tool Set
Photo: Gimars
- Number of tools: 12
- Material: Steel blade, wooden handle
Gimars SK5 is the best budget wood carving tool set on our list. It comes with 12 high-quality tools for a reasonably low price.
This set has 12 premium tools of different sizes and applications. You get chisels, gouges, pinpointing, and parting tools.
The tools have high-quality blades made of SK5 carbon steel and electrolytic coating. They are sharp, durable, and can be used for a variety of applications including touching up antique furniture, micro and miniature carvings, spoons, bowls, and different animals. They are also ideal for clay and soapstone sculptures.
Its wooden handles have a sturdy and smooth finish, which is comfortable to grip and handle. The handle prevents blistering even with extended usage. The blades are also firmly attached to the handle, and won’t snap off.
For ease of storage and organization, the set comes with a plastic, which is reusable so that can also hold other tools and items.
The set comes with a 100% money-back guarantee to ensure you make a confident and risk-free purchase.
Although Gimars SK5 is the best budget wood carving tool set on our list, they work best on non-wood carving as they are subject to chipping when subjected to high pressure. Thus, they are best used for light-duty tasks.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced with many tools
- 12 high-quality tools for a wide variety of applications
- Steel blades for precision and durability
- Smooth wooden handles for comfort and blister prevention
Cons:
- Prone to chipping especially when used on wood
5. Ramelson Tools – Best Beginner Wood Carving Tool Set
Photo: Ramelson
- Number of tools: 6
- Material: Steel blade, wooden handle
Ramelson Tools is the best wood carving set for beginner creatives who are just getting into carving. It comes with 6 high-quality tools, which are enough to meet all the needs of small projects.
The blades are made of factory-sharpened carbon steel, which is sharp and durable. Their handles are made of hardwood with metal ferrules for a firm attachment.
At only 7 ounces, the set is very light and portable. You can move around with it, especially if you are taking woodcarving classes, or working on a small project with a team.
The tools are long, spanning 6-1/4 to 6-1/2 inches in length to provide maximum control when carving.
Although Ramelson Tools is the best beginner wood carving set of tools, it was noted to be pricey for the number of tools included, especially compared to rival models that offer more tools for a lower price.
Pros:
- 6 high-quality tools for beginner projects
- Factory-sharpened steel blades for sharpness and durability
- Lightweight and portable
- Long tools for ease of control during carving
Cons:
- Expensive for the number of tools included
6. General Tools 1293 – Light-duty Wood Carving Tool Set
Photo: General Tools
- Number of tools: 5
- Material: Steel blade, wooden handle
If you’re looking for a light-duty wood carving tool set, General Tools 1293 is the one for you. It comes with 5 premium tools that will perform excellently on light-duty carving projects.
The five tools have different blades including gouges, a parting tool, and chisels. These are enough for all your basic carving projects that don’t demand more advanced tools.
These blades are premium-built, using hand-forged steel, which has been ground and hardened to ensure long-lasting sharpness. They are also 5 inches long to provide a clear field of vision when working with them.
The tool’s handles are made of hardwood for durability. They have a half-round palm design for optimal grip.
Although General Tools 1293 is an ideal light-duty wood carving tool set, it only comes with five tools. If your projects are light-duty but need more specialized tools, this set may not provide those.
Pros:
- 5 premium tools for basic wood carving projects
- Hand-forged steel blades for long-lasting sharpness
- Long blades for enhanced visibility during use
- Hardwood handles for durability and firm grip
Cons:
- Comes with only 5 tools
7. Kereda 4336912207 – Versatile Wood Carving Tool Set
Photo: Kereda
- Number of tools: 12
- Material: Steel blade, wooden handle
Kereda 4336912207 is a versatile set, which has 12 tools for a vast range of applications, including wood, rubber, soap, pumpkin, and vegetable carving.
The tools come with handles made of hardwood oak, which has been processed using natural linseed oil. The handles are firm to grip while still ensuring comfort for your hands. You don’t have to worry about blisters with this set.
This set is specialized for working in tight areas with high levels of details because its knives have thin points.
You can use this set on different materials, including wood, cork, clay, and many others, for carving and other related projects.
Although Kereda 4336912207 is a versatile wood carving tool set, we did note that it struggles to cut through hardwoods, and may require regular sharpening.
Pros:
- 12 tools for a wide range of applications
- Hardwood handles for maximum grip and comfort
- Thin-pointed knives for high-level detail
- Can be used on different materials
Cons:
- Not suitable for cutting or carving hardwoods
How to Buy the Best Wood Carving Tool Sets
1. Types of Wood Carving Tool
There are different types of wood carving tools you can use on your carving projects, and which determine the set you will buy. These three are the most common:
Carving knife: This tool is used to make smoother carvings and finer finishes than those achieved using a chisel. Knives are not as hardy as chisels in removing wood waste, but you will realize their value when you want to achieve a high level of detail in your work. They are also ideal for creating rounded objects such as bowl and spoon interiors.
Carving gouges: A carving gouge is a type of curved chisel, which is ideal for carving bowl, spoon, and wood, in general. Gouges can be either U or V-shaped. U-gouges are defined by the width of their cutting edges, their shaft’s shape, and the edge curvature.
V-shaped gouges are equally handy and are defined by their bottom edge angles and space between the tips at the top edge. They are as useful as U-shaped gouges.
Carving chisel: A chisel features a flat edge or a sweep of #1. Chisels can be in the form of palm tool, which means they don’t require a mallet to use them. Your hands’ force is enough to push such a chisel through the wood. Chisels can also be mallet tools. You require a mallet to hammer such a tool deeper into the wood.
2. Number of Tools
The number of your tools in your set matters because you don’t want to be investing in a set with very few blades such that they can’t meet all your carving needs.
Many of the models on the market have tools ranging from 5 to 12 tools. If you’re just getting started with carving wood or other materials, a 5-tool set may be ideal to start with.
If you’re an experienced woodcarver, you may desire a set with many tools, such as 12, so that you can take advantage of their versatility. It’s also likely you work on a wider variety of projects as an expert, so more tools may work in your favor.
3. Material
You can think of the material as being in two major categories: blade material, and handle material. Blade material is very important because it determines sharpness, and durability, the two main qualities you want your blades to excel in.
Almost all the blades on your carving tools will be made of steel or different steel alloys. Steel is an industry-leading material famed for its strength and durability.
As for the handle, wood is the most common material used. It has a firm grip on the metallic blades and provides a firm grip on the hand. Look for handles that are octagonal or not round. Non-round handles prevent the tool from rolling on the ground.
4. Sharp Head
A sharp makes the difference between smooth, high-quality carvings, and ordinary sketchy ones. When you first buy your set of carving tools, make sure to test the ones you’ll be using for sharpness.
Testing is easy. Simply try making cuts on the surfaces you will be carving on, such as wood or soapstone. If you like the quality of sharpness at first use, then proceed with your projects.
There are some models we noted that may require sharpening before using them. It’s not that they are shipped dull, but they just need a small bump in sharpness to produce professional carvings.
If your blades are made of premium metals such as steel, then they are likely to be sharp straight off the box.
Conclusion
There are many tools on the market used for wood carving, but they don’t come close to the superiority of knives and chisels, as seen from the models we reviewed.
When shopping for a set of wood carving tools, remember to pick the ones that meet all your project needs. The number of tools in the set also matters.
Handle and blade materials are important considerations because they affect the tools’ quality and ease of handling. Also, ensure that the blades are constantly sharp to achieve professional results.
Our comprehensive top 7 wood carving tool set reviews and buying guide with help you pick the ideal model for all your wood carving projects.