Master Carver Tools/ Wood Carvers Supply

[Arthur C.]

I ordered three spoon gouges from Wood Carvers Supply recently. I know some had reported problems with them, but my order was handled in a timely fashion and without any problem.

The three Master Carver spoon bit gouges I ordered came in yesterday pretty well carving sharp, but I gave them a quick honing anyway. I tried them out on a piece of red cedar that I use as a test piece, and was well satisfied with the initial performance. Time will tell how they hold the edge, but so far so good.

The gouges won't win any beauty contests, that's for sure, but then that's not why I have them, is it? The wood handles are boxwood (look and are utilitarian), and the shafts are fairly rough except for the areas which contact the wood, which are finished decently.

I don't think you can beat these gouges for the price.

[pallin]

Re: Master Carver Tools/ Wood Carvers Supply

As you said, "Time will tell." The ultimate test of carving tools is performance, not price, not finish. Even "carving sharp" is only temporary.

[woodeneye]

Re: Master Carver Tools/ Wood Carvers Supply

Thanks for the report!

[Donsexton]

Re: Master Carver Tools/ Wood Carvers Supply

I have a whole pile of the very same I like mine they work very well with or without a mallet and hold an edge mine are like 10 years old now. They are not as good as my HT's but when I go over seas to work and they get lost or stolen no big deal they cost less than a 3rd of HT tools. I am a big fan of woodcarvers supply I buy more from them than most other vendors.

[Jeff Bailey]

Re: Master Carver Tools/ Wood Carvers Supply

I also have a large set of these tools and like them very much. I use them almost exclusively in the rough out stages. Mine seem to hold up very well and stay sharp without having the tiny knicks that cause me to stop carving to make a trip to the sharpening station. The only thing that you have to check is the handles. Out of the box, I had to reapply the epoxy to a couple because they were loose. The shaft is shaped into a cone that is then glued to the boxwood handle. It is very durable though if enough epoxy was used so don't worry. Not as pretty as Swiss made but hard to beat for the price. I think they were around ten dollars a piece in the set.

[Arthur C.]

Re: Master Carver Tools/ Wood Carvers Supply

I S N I P I think they were around ten dollars a piece in the set.

Individually, they are just under $20 apiece. Not a bad price at all, considering the long term satisfaction expressed by you and Don.

[rickm]

Re: Master Carver Tools/ Wood Carvers Supply

MAYBE you could provide a link for the rest of us.

[Arthur C.]

Re: Master Carver Tools/ Wood Carvers Supply

Rick, do you mean a link to Woodcarvers Supply? If so, here ya go!

Wood Carving Tools - Wood Carving Supplies - Wood Carving Equipment - WoodCarversSupply.com

[rickm]

Re: Master Carver Tools/ Wood Carvers Supply

well I meant to the tools you were referencing

[Nebraska]

I ordered three spoon gouges from Wood Carvers Supply recently. I know some had reported problems with them, but my order was handled in a timely fashion and without any problem.

The three Master Carver spoon bit gouges I ordered came in yesterday pretty well carving sharp, but I gave them a quick honing anyway. I tried them out on a piece of red cedar that I use as a test piece, and was well satisfied with the initial performance. Time will tell how they hold the edge, but so far so good.

The gouges won't win any beauty contests, that's for sure, but then that's not why I have them, is it? The wood handles are boxwood (look and are utilitarian), and the shafts are fairly rough except for the areas which contact the wood, which are finished decently.

I don't think you can beat these gouges for the price.

Just wondering it’s been a few years how would you rate them now?

[Arthur C.]

Ed, I very seldom use these particular doglegs now. It's funny that the edges appear to be carving sharp yet I don't find that they cut cleanly. I would not buy again, considering what I think are better alternatives out there. So I would now rate them as sub par. I live and learn!

[buckbeans]

Ed, I very seldom use these particular doglegs now. It's funny that the edges appear to be carving sharp yet I don't find that they cut cleanly. I would not buy again, considering what I think are better alternatives out there. So I would now rate them as sub par. I live and learn!

If you are not using them and I pay for the shipping, would you consider donating them for a class for students to use?