carving tools

[Mandos]

could someone give me some pointers as to some good cheap carving tools and also best type of wood for carving ?

 

[Niels]

For carving tools a normal bushcraf knife will be fine, as long as it's strong and razor sharp. or a special carving knife like one from mora. Also a crooked knife can be useful. You can use all kinds of wood for carving but for beginners I reccomend soft woods like birch and willow. Good luck, it's great fun to try

 

[Albus Culter]

As above really. Mora is a good bet for a nice little carver and for anything to be carved bowl like (spoons, ladles, kuksa) a spoon knife is way easier.
Birch and Alder I found good to carve. Hack out a rough shape of what you want then small cuts. Keep the knife sharp with a good strop every now and then to keep it easy going.
Have fun

 

[John Fenna]

Same advice re knives as below - but even a good folder works well
As to woods I like Lime and dislike Pine, Ash is pretty good and Oak while green carves well once it is seasoned it is realy hard work - the same goes for Holly.
Strangely enough Ivy - if you find a good thick bit is wonderful to carve when green but dries like iron and "wrinkles" as it dries with interesting effects

 

[Expat]

Whatever you do, don't buy those cheap sets with handle and interchangeable blades....
The blades are fairly sharp, but they break (blades AND handles) for a pastime.....

Don't ask me how I know this.......