| wood carving tools are cutting tools. Every cutting tool | | | | ◦ If you’re going to cut hard woods, |
| has at least one bevel. This is the sloping surface | | | | you’ll want a large cutting angle on your |
| coming off the edge. But it’s more than jut a | | | | tool’s edge. This makes for a much thicker, |
| sloping surface. It’s actually a cutting angle. So | | | | slanted edge and a small bevel (short and steep). |
| the bevel supports a specific cutting angle that | | | | Here is another important point to keep in mind. The |
| determines how the tool can be used. Experienced | | | | size of the cutting angle on your edge can determine |
| carvers know about bevels and how they affect | | | | how much control you’ll have when carving. |
| cutting efficiency. | | | | ◦ If you’re using a carving tool with a |
| If you’re just starting out as a wood carver, | | | | small cutting angle and a large bevel, more of your |
| and you’re going to purchase carving tools for | | | | hands can rest on the wood. This provides better |
| the first time, here are some things you should know. | | | | control and, therefore, better carving. Unfortunately, |
| ◦ Some carving tools leave the manufacturer | | | | your edge isn’t as strong as it could be. |
| without a bevel. This means that you’ll have to | | | | ◦ If you’re using a carving tool with a |
| be the one to make the cutting angle, which | | | | large cutting angle and a small bevel, less of your |
| determines the shape of the bevel. Many experienced | | | | hands can rest on the wood. This could make carving |
| wood carvers prefer new tools this way because | | | | a bit clumsy because you’ve got much less |
| they want to put the cutting angles on themselves. | | | | control of your hands. It’s a curious thing. |
| They don’t want to have to remake an edge. | | | | You’ve a strong edge that cuts fast but |
| ◦ Non-beveled edges are only recommended | | | | mistakes are easily made. |
| for those wood carvers who already know how to | | | | Because we’re talking about bevels, here are |
| sharpen knives or similar types of cutting tools. | | | | the three main types of bevels that can be found in |
| Beveled edges are essentially wedges and every | | | | wood carving: straight (square) bevels, rounded bevels |
| metal wedge is, in effect, a knife. When you know | | | | (convex) and hollow (concave) bevels. |
| how to sharpen knives, you can make the cutting | | | | ◦ Straight bevels. As the name sounds, these |
| angle (AKA the sharpening angle) just the way you | | | | bevels have a straight square edge. They provide the |
| want it. You control the bevel exactly. | | | | most efficient cutting and the greatest strength to the |
| ◦ It’s pretty easy to find new carving | | | | edge for its sharpness. Many wood carvers prefer this |
| tools with pre-set bevels already ground in by the | | | | type of bevel. |
| manufacturer. Nevertheless, the new carver must be | | | | ◦ Rounded bevels. The profile of a rounded |
| aware that, even though the cutting angle was | | | | bevel is convex and looks the exact opposite of a |
| created by the tool maker, it may not be the correct | | | | hollow bevel. More effort is needed to cut the wood |
| size or shape that they want. Don’t just | | | | because the wedge is normally thick. Therefore, cutting |
| assume that the bevel is correct. Know your needs, i.e. | | | | angles are large. |
| your specific carving tasks, and get the right tools. You | | | | ◦ Hollow bevels. Hollow bevels are concave |
| shouldn’t rush this. | | | | and look the exact opposite of a rounded bevel. |
| The cutting angle of your carving tool, or the length of | | | | It’s a very unique shape but working with it |
| the bevel, determines the strength of the wood you | | | | isn’t very easy. Oftentimes, the hollowed bevel |
| can carve. At its very basic, the greater the cutting | | | | will unknowingly ride up on the edge of a cut so |
| angle, the steeper and shorter the bevel. The greater | | | | you’ve got to watch every part of it all of the |
| angle means more cutting strength on the edge. The | | | | time. |
| stronger the edge, the harder the wood to be cut. | | | | When you know the fundamentals of how cutting |
| What does it all mean? | | | | angles on beveled edges affect cutting efficiency, |
| ◦ If you’re going to cut soft woods, | | | | you’ll know so much about any cutting tool that |
| you’ll want a small cutting angle on your | | | | you hold in your hand. Simple mistakes can be avoided |
| tool’s edge. This is a very thin edge and makes | | | | and you’d be well on your way to becoming a |
| for a very large bevel (a long backwards slope). | | | | skilled wood carver. |