Carving tools
Narex woodcarving tools offer a comprehensive selection of chisels and knives for beginners, advanced users, and professionals alike. The product line is divided into the START, STANDARD, and PROFI series. The START series is designed for beginners, the STANDARD series for general hobby use, and the top-of-the-line PROFI series is designed for demanding woodworking applications.
Woodcarving Tools
Woodcarving is a demanding craft that requires the utmost patience, a steady hand, and tools capable of translating every idea into wood with absolute precision. Narex woodcarving tools draw on more than a century of manufacturing tradition and represent the absolute pinnacle of the craft, highly valued not only here but also among master woodcarvers around the world. Whether you’re just starting out in woodcarving and looking for your first knife to carve a wooden spoon, or you’re a professional sculptor working on large and complex reliefs, our tools offer high-quality steel, a perfect edge, and well-thought-out ergonomics.
Our range of woodcarving tools is organized into three main lines:
- PROFI (Our top-of-the-line series, which includes chisels, carving knives, gouges, and other woodcarving tools and accessories)
- STANDARD (The perfect balance for advanced hobby woodcarvers)
- START (Affordable and safe sets for absolute beginners)
The START, STANDARD, and PROFI Lines: How to Choose the Right One?
When choosing woodcarving tools, it’s essential to consider your current skill level and how often you’ll be practicing the craft.
- STARTSeries : Tools designed specifically for schools, clubs, and beginners. The blades are made of high-quality steel, and the handles feature a simpler ergonomic design. They’re ideal for taking your first safe steps and getting acquainted with softwood.
- STANDARDSeries : Designed for general hobby use and more advanced crafters. The blades hold their edge exceptionally well, and the ergonomic handles ensure a comfortable grip even during extended work on reliefs or small sculptures.
- PROFISeries : The absolute pinnacle of our product line, designed for professionals and the most demanding users. The blades, made from select high-grade steel, are hardened to achieve exceptional hardness and a long cutting edge life. The handles feature a solid octagonal shape that prevents slipping, stays steady in the hand, and allows for precise cutting.
The PROFI Series’ Wide Range: From Detail to Rough Shaping
The most extensive PROFI series covers absolutely all the needs of both modern and traditional woodcarvers. Here you’ll find chisels in every conceivable profile —from straight, to shallow and hollow, to angled (V-profiles). The woodcarving knife section offers sturdy knives for rough material removal, thin detail knives, and special knives for spoons. Gravers are designed for extremely fine work. Last but not least, you’ll find accessories here, such as mallets and whetstones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are Narex woodcarving chisels and knives sharpened right out of the box?
Yes, all of our woodcarving tools come pre-ground and sharpened from the factory so that you can start working with them right away.
What kind of wood is best for beginners to carve?
For absolute beginners, linden wood is definitely the best choice. Linden is soft and has a very fine, even grain. The tool cuts through it almost as easily as through hard butter. Once you’ve gained confidence in your strokes and in maintaining the blade’s edge, you can move on to harder woods, such as walnut, cherry, or oak.
What do the sweep numbers on woodcarving chisels mean (e.g., Sweep 7 or Sweep 11)?
In the world of woodcarving, there is a standardized numbering system for blade curvature. Sweep number 1 denotes a completely straight chisel. The higher the number, the more curved (closed) the chisel’s shape is. Sweep 3 is therefore a very slightly curved chisel, while sweep 11 forms a deep, almost closed “U” shape.
What exactly are spoon knives used for?
Spoon carving knives are specialized woodcarving knives with blades curved into a U or C shape. Their specific geometry—where the cutting edge is on the inner side (or, in the case of double-edged knives, on both sides) of the curve—is designed for hollowing out cavities. It is an absolutely indispensable tool for handcrafting wooden spoons and small bowls.