Choosing the Right Tools Based on Your Project Size
Whether you're carving your very first project or tackling a large, detailed masterpiece, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the right carving tools. While carving style and the type of wood both matter, the size of your project is often the biggest factor in determining which tools will give you the best results.
Palm Tools or Mallet Tools?
Here's how to decide whether palm tools or mallet tools are the right fit for your next carving project.
If the work can be hand held, such as caricatures, walking sticks or tableware, palm tools are probably a good starting point. Palm tools are shorter in length, offering better control since the cutting edge is closer to the controlling hand. They are available in very small sizes for carving details proportional to the work.
Palm tools fit conveniently in the palm of one hand while the other holds the work. Although this method is not recommended for safety reasons, many experienced carvers use this method in conjunction with an anti-slash, carving glove in an effort to avoid cutting themselves. Beginners should always try to clamp the work to a stable surface and keep both hands behind the cutting edge of the tool.
Larger projects up to 12"-15" inches can be done with palm tools using wider profile sizes. Larger projects, such as architectural details or furniture, may require mallet tools. They are called mallet tools because they can be pushed through large amounts of waste wood with the aid of a heavy mallet. Mallet work requires a very stable work surface and clamping system to avoid the project moving while being repeatedly struck.
Explore our selection of palm tools and mallet tools to find the right tools for your next project and carve with confidence from the very first cut.
