Every carver in time assembles a set of beloved tools that they reach for frequently. Likewise, every carving teacher recommends that students acquire a set of particular tools to get them started on their carving careers.
Which tools should be included in the set is subject to much debate. Ashley Iles has weighed in with several sets to consider. We seldom have all sets in stock, so the point might be moot, but it’s interesting to know what these master tool makers consider compiling into sets. The sets include the 6 piece York and Lincoln sets; 12 piece Canterbury; 18 piece Westminster; 24 piece Exhibition set. The supplementary sets contain 6 pieces. The York and Lincoln sets are different only in that the York set includes the 1/4" No.39 V-tool and the Lincoln set has a 3/4" Gouge #4 instead. The Canterbury set is made up of the York Set plus Supplementary Set 1; the Westminster is the York plus Supplementary Sets 1 and 2 (or if you prefer, the Canterbury plus Supplementary Set 2); and the Exhibition is York plus Supplementary Sets 1, 2 and 3 (of the Westminster plus Supplementary set 3). You can also make up your own combo set - just be sure to give it a suitably impressive English name.
In any event you end up with superior carving tools that will bring you a lot of use and a lot of joy.
The six piece York Set contains the following: 1/16 No.11 gouge. 3/8" No.3 gouge. 5/8" No.5 gouge, 5/8" No.1 carving chisel, 1/4" No.39 V-tool, and 1/4" No.9 gouge. Packed in an Ashley Iles 6 pocket Tool Roll.
The six piece Lincoln Set contains the following:
1/16 No.11 gouge. 3/8" No.3 gouge. 5/8" No.5 gouge, 5/8" No.1 carving chisel, 3/4" Gouge #4, and 1/4" No.9 gouge. Packed in an Ashley Iles 6 pocket Tool Roll.
The 12 piece Canterbury set includes the following: 1/16 No.11 gouge. 3/8" No.3 gouge. 5/8" No.5 gouge, 5/8" No.1 carving chisel, 1/4" No.39 V-tool, 1/4" No.9 gouge.1/2" curved gouge #15, 3/4" gouge #4, 3/8" Gouge #5, 1/2" Gouge #9, 1/4" Gouge #4, 3/8" Corner Chisel #2.
The 18 piece Westminster set includes the following: 1/16 No.11 gouge. 3/8" No.3 gouge. 5/8" No.5 gouge, 5/8" No.1 carving chisel, 1/4" No.39 V-tool, 1/4" No.9 gouge, 1/2" curved gouge #15, 3/4" gouge #4, 3/8" Gouge #5, 1/2" Gouge #9, 1/4" Gouge #4, 3/8" Corner Chisel #2, 1/16" gouge #6 , 1/8" gouge #5, 1/8" gouge #8, 1/8" V Tool #39, 3/16" Curved Gouge #18 , 1/8" chisel #1
The 24 piece Exhibition set includes the following: 1/16 No.11 gouge. 3/8" No.3 gouge. 5/8" No.5 gouge, 5/8" No.1 carving chisel, 1/4" No.39 V-tool, 1/4" No.9 gouge, 1/2" curved gouge #15, 3/4" gouge #4, 3/8" Gouge #5, 1/2" Gouge #9, 1/4" Gouge #4, 3/8" Corner Chisel #2, 1/16" gouge #6 , 1/8" gouge #5, 1/8" gouge #8, 1/8" V Tool #39, 3/16" Curved Gouge #18 , 1/8" chisel #1, 3/16" Gouge #11, 3/8" gouge #9, 5/8" gouge #3, 3/4" gouge #6, 1/4" grounding tool #47, and 3/8" curved gouge #14.
Supplementary Set 1 contains the following: 1/2" curved gouge #15, 3/4"" gouge #4, 3/8" Gouge #5, 1/2"" Gouge #9, 1/4" Gouge #4, 3/8" Corner Chisel #2.
Supplementary Set 2 contains the following:
1/16" gouge #6 , 1/8" gouge #5, 1/8" gouge #8, 1/8" "V" Tool #39, 3/16" Curved Gouge #18 , 1/8" chisel #1
Supplementary Set 3 contains the following: 3/16" Gouge #11, 3/8" gouge #9, 5/8" gouge #3, 3/4" gouge #6, 1/4" grounding tool #47, 3/8" curved gouge #14.
All sets come packed in one or more carving rolls of six tools each.
Add On Set
| Full Set Name
| Contents |
| | York |
#39 1/4" "V" Tool #39, 1/16" Veiner #11, 1/4"
gouge #9, 3/8" Flat Gouge #3, 5/8" gouge #5, 5/8" Chisel #1 |
| | Lincoln |
The Lincon set is the same as the York set
only some people prefer it for for general wood sculpture 3/4" Gouge #4, 1/16"
Veiner #11, 1/4" gouge #9, 3/8" Flat Gouge #3, 5/8" gouge #5, 5/8" Chisel
#1 |
| Supplementary 1 |
Canterbury |
Same as York with the addition of these 6
tools: 1/2" curved gouge #15, 3/4"" gouge #4, 3/8" Gouge #5, 1/2"" Gouge
#9, 1/4" Gouge #4, 3/8" Corner Chisel #2 |
| Supplementary 2 | Westminster |
Same as Canterbury with the addition of these
6 tools: 1/16" gouge #6 , 1/8" gouge #5, 1/8" gouge #8, 1/8" "V" Tool #39,
3/16" Curved Gouge #18 , 1/8" chisel #1 |
| Supplementary 3 | Exhibition
|
Same as Westminster with the addition of these
6 tools: 3/16" Gouge #11, 3/8" gouge #9, 5/8" gouge #3, 3/4" gouge #6, 1/4"
grounding tool #47, 3/8" curved gouge #14 |
For more information on Ashley Iles tools
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For a guide to the different types of carving tools
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