Wood Carving Tools, Kits & Whittling Knives

Woodcarving Tools for Every Style and Skill Level

Whether you’re relief carving, chip carving, spoon carving, or whittling, having the right tool in hand makes all the difference. Infinity Tools stocks a focused selection of woodcarving tools from respected makers including Narex, Mikihisa, and Ikeuchi—covering everything from beginner starter sets to professional-grade gouges and drawknives. Whether you need a first wood carving kit, a whittling knife for the pocket, or a full set of gouges for relief work, every tool here is sharp out of the box and built to last.

Palm chisels and gouge palm chisels are sized for one-handed control, allowing fine detail work with precision that larger bench tools can’t match. Straight gouges and spoon gouges tackle bowl and hollow carving, while carving knives from Narex and Ikeuchi hold a keen edge for whittling, chip carving, and fine shaping. A Narex 6” drawknife adds a two-handed shaping option for chair legs, spindles, and green woodworking.

Wood Carving Kits for Beginners (and Gifts)

A kit is the easiest way to start, and the best gift for someone curious about carving. The Narex 5-Pc. Starter Carving Chisel Set comes sharpened and ready to use, with a sharpening guide and a lime wood blank for a first project. For spoons, spatulas and small bowls, the Narex 4-Pc. Spoon Carving Starter Set includes a double-edge hook knife for left- or right-handed carvers, a 3/4" spoon gouge, a straight detail knife and a lime wood spoon blank, all in a storage case. Experienced carvers can step up to the Narex 8-Pc. Professional Carving Chisel Set or the 8-Pc. Palm Chisel Set with Wooden Stand.

Whittling and Carving Knives

For whittling and chip carving, Narex Carving Knives come in several blade profiles for different cuts. Ikeuchi Small Carving Knives, made in Miki City, Japan since 1953, use Aogami #2 (Blue Paper) high-carbon steel for an exceptionally keen, long-lasting edge. Store them in the Ikeuchi 7-Pocket Tool Roll to protect the edges.

For mallet-driven work, pair your gouges with tools from the mallets & deadblows collection, keep edges sharp with tools from the hand tools collection, and browse our chisels collection for Narex bench, mortise and paring chisels.

Palm chisels: ideal for detail carving and one-handed control
Straight gouges: general carving and material removal
Spoon gouges: bowl hollowing and curved relief work
Carving knives: whittling, chip carving, and fine detail
Drawknives: shaping stock with two-handed leverage

Frequently Asked Questions

What carving tools does a beginner woodcarver need to start?

A beginner needs a small set of palm chisels or gouges, a carving knife, and a strop for keeping edges sharp. The Narex 5-piece starter carving chisel set is a practical first purchase that covers the most common cuts.

What is the difference between a gouge and a chisel in carving?

A chisel has a flat cutting edge and removes material in a straight line, while a gouge has a curved or swept edge for scooping out hollows, carving rounded surfaces, and cutting curves. Most carvers use both types together depending on the cut required.

What is the difference between a straight gouge and a spoon gouge?

A straight gouge has a relatively flat profile along its length and is used for general carving and V-shaped or U-shaped cuts. A spoon gouge has a bent shank that curves upward at the tip, making it easier to scoop into bowls, hollows, and tight concave areas without the handle catching on the workpiece.

What is a drawknife used for in woodworking?

A drawknife is a two-handled blade pulled toward the user to shave and shape wood surfaces. Its commonly used for shaping chair legs, spindles, curved rails, and green-wood projects where rapid stock removal with directional control is needed.

What wood species are easiest for beginner woodcarvers?

Basswood is the most widely recommended carving wood for beginners due to its consistent, fine grain and soft texture that responds predictably to cutting tools. Butternut, white pine, and soft maple are also good choices. Very hard species like hard maple or hickory are best left to experienced carvers with sharp, well-tuned tools.

Do carving tools need to be mallet-driven or can they be used by hand?

It depends on the tool style and the work. Palm chisels and carving knives are used by hand alone. Larger straight gouges and bench gouges can be driven with a carving mallet for faster material removal or guided by hand for fine finishing cuts.

How do you sharpen woodcarving tools?

Carving tools are sharpened on whetstones or diamond plates to establish the primary bevel, then polished on a leather strop loaded with honing compound to refine the edge to a razor sharpness. Gouges require a shaped slip stone on the inside flute to remove any wire edge from the concave side. Visit the Infinity Tools learning blog for sharpening technique guides.

Are Narex carving tools good quality?

Narex carving tools are manufactured in the Czech Republic from chrome-manganese steel, hardened to a level that holds a working edge without being brittle. They are widely respected among woodcarvers as an excellent value: professional performance at an accessible price point.

What's the best wood carving kit for a beginner or a gift?

For general carving, the Narex 5-Pc. Starter Carving Chisel Set comes sharpened, with a sharpening guide and a lime wood blank for a first project. For spoons and small bowls, the Narex 4-Pc. Spoon Carving Starter Set includes a hook knife, spoon gouge, detail knife and spoon blank in a storage case. Either makes a complete gift that's ready to use. Add the 7-pocket tool roll if they'll be carrying their tools.

What's the difference between a whittling knife and a hook knife?

A whittling knife has a short, straight blade for shaping, detail and chip cuts on the outside of a piece. A hook knife has a curved blade for scooping out the inside of spoons, ladles and bowls. Spoon carvers use both; the Narex 4-Pc. Spoon Carving Starter Set includes one of each.

Wood Carving Tools, Kits & Knives