"Master Carver" gouges: Any reviews from users?

Blackbeard4590 · Apr 5, 2023

Has anyone tried these carving tools? If you have, would you mind providing a review of these tools.
They are quite inexpensive compared to Pfeil, Two Cherries and Lamp tools.
Does this equate to their quality (or lack of it) ?
My grandson was considering them for carving work, but like me, he hesitates to buy them and find out that after a few uses, he finds them to be junk.
I have looked up reviews on the web and it is either a love or hate review (almost 50/50).
Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you

64Springer · Apr 5, 2023

Master Carver sounds too much like One Weird Trick or any other over the top headline grabbing sensationalism.

I own Pfeil chisels. Quality.

Scary sharp straight out of the box.

Blackbeard4590 · Apr 5, 2023

I too own Pfeil tools, but have "built" (there's that word again) my collection over years.
Since he wants to do more than gun stock work, he is wanting to purchase a good sized set.
Pfeil is a bit pricey for his budget needing a larger set.
This "Master Carver" set is very inexpensive. That is why I am dubious about these tools.
If anyone has used them I would appreciate some feedback.

Rifleman1776 · Apr 5, 2023

Lower priced carving tools generally do not take or hold a sharp edge very well. But, one of my main concerns with them is that most of the El Cheapos have very short tangs. This means there is a high risk of the tang breaking through when sideways pressure is applied. This can ruin a carving or cause injury to the carving.

martin9 · Apr 5, 2023

I own pfeil chisels for carving. That said I use a lot of different brands for inletting and what not. Inexpensive chisels can be made of good steel but all I've ever gotten has needed the cutting edge reshaped and sharpened. I'd say if you go for cheaper chisels invest in a good set of different grit diamond hones.

Flintandsteel · Apr 5, 2023

With ANY tool, you get what you pay for. If you’re going to do quality work, you’ve got to have quality tools.

ZUG · Apr 5, 2023

Quality chisels are the way to go BUT some of the lower priced tools can surprise you. I don't mean the ones like HF tools which are a joke

. Try to buy ONE of the Master Carver chisels and see for yourself. Keep in mind that ALL chisels being sold will need honing when you receive them even Pfeil - some more than others. The best thing for you to do is to learn how to put a super sharp edge on them. Look at the edge under a magnifying glass before and after sharpening then check the edge after a short workout you will be able to tell what chisels to buy or stay away from. I find that the older flea market finds have good steel in them and are a bargain but here again you will need to know how to sharpen them. Stay away from a power grinder unless the tool is in very bad shape

. The diamond stone is your FRIEND

Col. Batguano · Apr 5, 2023

I agree with Zug, with a caveat on grinders. The standard dry bench grinder are bad news. The edge will get too hot and will wind up softening. A WET grinder, like the Tormek system, or various diamond power hones (used for sharpening gravers and the like) are ok. I'm not sure about the various slow speed grinders.

oldwood · Apr 5, 2023

Gonna cause trouble here , but there is another path.. In the early 1970's , there was another supplier of fine wood carving tools in lue of expensive ones from Brownells. The tools were not expensive , and German import. At the time , I was just learning to carve with the help of a journeyman gunsmith studying at Williamsburg. He didn't physically work with me , but he gave me information on how to think about doing carving , as he was told by a master smith. His advice pulled the curtain of mystery back , so I could look at gun carving , and approach the most logical way to attack it , using the new tools I bought. I also saw ways to enhance the normal types of tools seen in the sets offered in catalogs.
Any way , I also had to learn new ways of shaping existing tools to enhance the carving I was doing. I have two pedestal mounted grinders with course and fine stones on them , but never use them on carving tools , as like everyone here says , they over heat metal. I accidentally found out , 1" x 42" belt sanders , with the proper belts , don't cause metal to loose temper , unless abused. My dear old Dad , professional master machinist , taught me how to finish sharpen tools on oil stones at a young age. Process I use now , is to touch up a carving tool that has become out of shape , with the belt sander using a worn out 600 grit belt , then touch it up on a hard Arkansas oil stone. The tools I use are surgical sharp , and easy to keep them that way for 50+ yrs.. . Few minds think alike , which renders different folks to accomplish a task differently. .............Hope this info helps someone. ...................oldwood

Blackbeard4590 · Apr 6, 2023

Thank you for the input gents. I myself, have a Tormek, full set of diamond plates, Woodpecker's sharpening jig that replaced my Veritas (Woodpecker set-up is really nice btw) I saw the Master Carver tools on a long time top carving tool vendor's website (Wood Carver's Supply). The whole reason for this investigation was two-fold:

A long time supplier now carries these tools adding to their Pfeil, Lamp etc lineup. (wondered why...are these actually decent and CHEAP? Made in China)
Trying to help my grandson get started. Young man, newlywed, first real job (USACE), tiny rental house, 2nd hand furniture, etc. I have given him my water stones, Veritas sharpening jig and my Ultra slow speed bench grinder with fine grit wheels (what I used before the Tormek came out).

I am attempting to help him get started in his wood carving. I still use my carving tools so giving them to him is not really an option. He has some talent for carving figures and relief carving through school and workshops. They provided the tools in class ( Two Cherries). Now he is trying to continue, but for him, at this stage of his life, they are expensive.

stevenjay1 · Apr 6, 2023

I’m not sure who makes this tool but it is very sharp.

Raz · Apr 6, 2023

oldwood said:
Gonna cause trouble here , but there is another path.. In the early 1970's , there was another supplier of fine wood carving tools in lue of expensive ones from Brownells. The tools were not expensive , and German import. At the time , I was just learning to carve with the help of a journeyman gunsmith studying at Williamsburg. He didn't physically work with me , but he gave me information on how to think about doing carving , as he was told by a master smith. His advice pulled the curtain of mystery back , so I could look at gun carving , and approach the most logical way to attack it , using the new tools I bought. I also saw ways to enhance the normal types of tools seen in the sets offered in catalogs.
Any way , I also had to learn new ways of shaping existing tools to enhance the carving I was doing. I have two pedestal mounted grinders with course and fine stones on them , but never use them on carving tools , as like everyone here says , they over heat metal. I accidentally found out , 1" x 42" belt sanders , with the proper belts , don't cause metal to loose temper , unless abused. My dear old Dad , professional master machinist , taught me how to finI ish sharpen tools on oil stones at a young age. Process I use now , is to touch up a carving tool that has become out of shape , with the belt sander using a worn out 600 grit belt , then touch it up on a hard Arkansas oil stone. The tools I use are surgical sharp , and easy to keep them that way for 50+ yrs.. . Few minds think alike , which renders different folks to accomplish a task differently. .............Hope this info helps someone. ...................oldwood

Mulemauler · Apr 6, 2023

As is usually the case you get what you pay for. Good quality tools will work better and last a lifetime.

mushka · Apr 6, 2023

Good tool and a lot of experience in that video. I'm too blind and shaky nowadays.

ZUG · Apr 6, 2023

stevenjay1 said:
I’m not sure who makes this tool but it is very sharp.

Looks like a piece of thin paper attached to a piece of wood then shaved off - does not look like a real piece of wood. So for me this is false.

Terrier · Apr 6, 2023

stevenjay1 said:
I’m not sure who makes this tool but it is very sharp.

I'm guessing a layer of glue he peeled back. That's what it looks like to me.

Coot · Apr 6, 2023

I also go with not wood - no grain showing on the whatever shaved off

BS · Apr 6, 2023

Do a search<

I found this

https://forum.woodcarvingillustrate...315-new-master-carver-hand-tools-how-are-they

Nazgul58 · Apr 7, 2023

Sharpening tools has become a hobby of mine along with muzzle loaders. Restoring old planes or any odd style of wood working tool is very relaxing for me. Put on an old John Wayne movie in the Man Cave and sharpen away.

While at the gun show at Joe Wheeler park I bought a 950's vintage 8" Craftsman hand plane, looked almost new for $20. :thumb:

Sharpened to a razor edge and works like a champ.

I have and use the Veritas edge honing guides, various water and oil stones and diamond plates as necessary.

My selection of chisels is somewhat limited, a couple dozen of various shapes, I buy them as I see a need for them. Mostly Pfeil, some others. Really try to get good quality when I can.

My father was a traditionally trained machinist so a lot of hand work was involved. He was a master at it. Remember watching him sharpen and set saw teeth with a jig he hand made. I have reshaped and sharpened a lot of his hand made tools to use. Many are from the 40's and very good steel. Neat to use a chisel he made from tool steel to inlet a lock on a rifle.

Don

John May · Apr 7, 2023

I bought a set of Smith and Wesson Stock makers tools and to be honest.... they are poor, they won't hold and edge for long and they are overly thick for supposedly good steel. I have better luck with 'Vintage' chisels that I pick up in my local Antiques centre, mostly top quality Sheffield steel that has ended it's life opening tins and stirring paint!

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