Words of advice: My father always said "You can save money by buying high quality tools." Think about it, I bet you will agree, if you don't, you will someday.
My Opinion on tools...the key words are this is just my opinion. This is an excerpt from the WWWoodcarver Ezine Vol 6 Issue #3 (http://carverscompanion.com/Ezine/Vol6Issue3/NFTN/NFTN.html).
Saving With "Cheap" Tools?
While we on the topic of sharpening, let's slip in a note that Brian Ehrler wrote to the Woodcarver's List. Brian stated;
As Abraham Lincoln once said: "The more time you spend sharpening the ax, the quicker the trees are cut."
This applies to wood carving; it is an error to think a tool that is cheap but will not hold an edge to be a good investment. Many of the tools I use I have had for 10-15 years or more. When I started carving wood at age 14, I could not afford a lot of tools and had to limit some of my carvings. I bought some poorly manufactured tools at the age of 18 and soon threw them out as I purchased a few high grade tools to replace them. As I could afford it, usually every 5th paycheck or so I would buy one or two tools (I chose Ashley Iles, however let me say this before the boat load of flaming e-mails arrive, Sorby, Marples, Swiss Made, or any other reputable brand of your choice would have also sufficed).
I would purchase many of my tools based on what was used most. I purchased my tools in the following order: 6mm V, 13mm 3, 5, 7, and 9, 6mm 3-9, 13mm V etc... It took me almost 2 years to buy these tools. I still purchase 6 tools or so a year adding to my set.
When I carve I can tell you one thing, what I do not spend much time doing is sharpening tools. Each of my tools has been honed, and polished. If a tool is dropped (happens more often than the latter), or is becoming dull (after hours of use) I will stop and polish the edge. I hate stopping to sharpen tools. However it is a necessary evil.
You will soon have great disdain for carving if you buy cheap tools. You will either grow tired of sharpening or wonder why you have a lot of tear out from dull tools.
I meet people often at carving clubs that are having trouble carving. Ninety percent of the time dull tools are the culprit.
To finish Brian says to remember the following:
1. Value has very little to do with Cost.
2. You can only Pick 2 features (Quality, Cost, Speed).
If you have read this far you must like disclaimers:
All contents copyright 2005© Brian Ehrler, Ehrler Enterprises.