Carving Resources

Most Used Carving Tools

¼” air die grinder, rear exhaust - Harbor Freight etc.
I like the smaller body style.
 
5/8” Monster Carbide Cutter
https://www.woodcarverssupply.com/MONSTER-CARBIDE-5_8-CYLINDER/productinfo/629026/
There are different shapes and sizes of these cutters, but this is the one I use for almost all my rough shaping. It cuts pretty clean.
 
Automach HTC 30 Reciprocating Carver
https://www.woodcarverssupply.com/AUTOMACH-HCT-30A/productinfo/794000/
 
Flexcut Carving Blades for reciprocating carvers
https://www.woodcarverssupply.com/14PC-DELUXE-SET-RG100/productinfo/993198/
I really like this set, but they offer some four piece sets as well.
 
https://www.woodcarverssupply.com/FLEXCUT-RECIPROCATING-HANDLE/productinfo/993102/
This is a handle to use the reciprocating blades as hand gouges.
 
Ryobi DC501 Reciprocating Carver
Search Amazon...not as nice as the Automach, but still good and much cheaper.
 
Auriou Rasps
https://www.lie-nielsen.com/products/cabinet-makers-rasps-8-cabinet-makers-rasp-?path=cabinet-makers-rasps&node=4151
I like the 8” 11 grain. If you have the money, get another with 12-14 finer grain  There are other sellers, do a google search.
 
StewMac Dragon Hand-cut Rasp, Small, Fine and Coarse
A good alternative to Auriou - not as nice but cheaper and work pretty well. Get the small ones. 
www.stewmac.com
https://www.woodcarverssupply.com/Palm-tools-with-Handle/products/88/

Flexcut Palm Gouges - Many options here, both sets and individual. V-cuts and different sweep gouges are what I use most. The Reciprocating set with a handle will take the place of these.
 
Carving gouges of almost any brand can work fine.
 
Dremel or Micro Motor Type Rotary Carver
I don’t use these a lot, but they are good for textures. Some people do a majority of their carving with them. Stump cutter and carbide discs are what I use most. https://rotarychisel.com has some very nice and popular cutters for removing wood quickly and texturing.