Product Description

This is a beginners' kit that isn't very expensive and contained enough to get you started. It contains: The "First Projects" book, a pre-sharpened bench knife (a Murphy Knife with a 1 1/2" blade. Made in USA) A leather strop to maintain the razor edge on the knife A container of strop abrasive. Instructions on how to strop Following blanks (basswood cutouts) for the projects covered in the book: One dog blank One boot blank Two 3-piece nativity scenes. One 5/32" V-tool & one #9 5/16" gouge. All of this would cost you over $60.00 if bought separately. FOR SAFETY WE RECOMMEND A GLOVE AND A THUMB GUARD.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10024 in Home Improvement
• Brand: Smoky Mountain Woodcarvers Supply
• Model: KI001
• Dimensions: 12.00" h x 8.00" w x 12.00" l,

Features

• Starter kit for beginning wood carvers
• Contains all you need to start woodcarving
• Book, knife, gouges, honing strop, strop abrasive, projects.
• First Projects book has all of the basics and project instructions.
• Knife and gouges are sharp and ready to use. We recommend the use of a safety glove.

Customer Reviews

Great Beginner's Product...Worth Buying for a New Experience
This Starter's Kit is a great way for a person (teen to adult) to try woodcarving in a fun, economical way. Along with the purchase of a protective glove and finger guards, this well-planned kit would make an interesting gift for someone who is in search of a hobby or new interest. [Because of the speciality knife and gouge tools, young people / teens should only try this with the supervision of a responsible, knowledgeable adult.]

The materials seem quality and appropriate for one who is just entering the woodcarving world. Intelligent, but also witty, the included pictorial book offers great tips and basic considerations such as safety, tools and their uses, wood, tool sharpening, knife and gouge practice. The project choices of this book are interesting as well: boot, dog, and nativity scene. My favorite is Gandolf the Dog, which makes me smile; however, all projects seem well illustrated with clear, meaningful photos and excellent training. Practice and repetition build skills and safety instincts. I liked the idea of the Gandolf dog project because it offer needed knife practice, especially for one like me who is a bit clumsy as I am first learning. As the authors suggest, this dog project will "...will help you become accustomed to your knife without having to focus on a lot of detailed features" (Page 33).

The authors do seem to emphasize care, patience, caution, safety, and focus, which I like. Their number one safety tip is "Think before you make a cut!" :)

I bought this product for myself because I've wanted to try woodcarving since visiting the John C. Campbell Folkschool and their art presentations earlier this year. I'm well pleased with this kit, and the hour of enjoyment it is and will continue to give me.

I recommend it
I'm a woodworker, and I've wanted to get into woodcarving for a while, and this kit is great. The chisels seem to be high quality, the knife is really sharp, the leather strop has easy to use instructions, the wood for the projects is good, and the book is terrific.For example, the book has at least 30 pictures to walk you through the making of a boot, and the entire thing is easy to read, and well illustrated. Buy this if you want to get into wood carving.