Finish Off That DIY Project With the Best Wood Carving Tools

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Professional woodworking tools are designed with maximum efficiency and productivity in mind, but there are also wood carving tools—often sold in sets—skewed toward the artistic and creative side of things for DIY woodworking projects.

These tools feature long, ergonomic handles and a variety of blade shapes to allow for maintaining maximum control while you whittle, carve, and chisel a block of wood into whatever object you have in mind. Most sets also include their own stropping kits too, so carvers can regularly maintain their razor-sharp blade edges.

With some practice, these tools are all you need to create decorative figurines, spoons, and wooden bowls. Read on for our editor-recommended lineup of the best wood carving tools to consider that are well worth the investment.

The Best Wood Carving Tools

• Best Overall: BeaverCraft Deluxe Wood Carving Kit S18X

• Best Budget: WAYCOM Professional Wood Carving Kit

• Best Folding: Flexcut Carvin' Jack Wood Carving Tool

• Best Basic: BeaverCraft Deluxe S15X Whittling Knives Set

• Best For Large Projects: Deluxe Wood Carving Kit S50X

What to Consider

Type

The main factor to take into account when choosing wood carving tools, is the type of item you plan on carving. If you’re sticking with more functional items like bowls, cups, and spoons, make sure a hook knife is included in your kit. This curved tool is absolutely essential for scooping out the inside of your work piece, a task not easily replaced by other blade types. For more artistic or detailed work—like figurines, ornaments, or relief carving—choose a kit that has smaller, precision blades and gouges for creating intricate designs and shapes. If you’re not sure what you plan on carving, consider a comprehensive kit that has a little bit of everything.

Storage

Proper tool storage is essential for both the integrity of the tool blades, as well as the safety of yourself and others. Having loose knives rolling around in a drawer or in a toolbox is a recipe for dull edges and cut fingers, so look for sets that include a dedicated storage pouch, roll, or box. While cloth storage rolls are fine for functional use, sets with leather or wooden options add a high-end, handcrafted feel and make great gifts for woodworkers..

Sharpening

Wood carving tools must be kept very sharp to work properly, so if you don’t have sharpening tools, look for a set that includes a stropping kit. These kits consist of a leather strip or block and polishing compound, and allow you to straighten and compress the microscopic burrs that naturally occur on the blade edge with regular use.

How We Selected

Wood carving tools are precision instruments, so we focused our picks on higher-end, reliable brands. We also did our best to include a range of quantity options, so whether you’re looking for a single knife to keep on your belt, or a full set to beef up your collection or give as a gift, there’s an option to meet your needs. We took price into account as well, and although we did include a budget-friendly option, we excluded any especially cheap, or low-quality sets that just aren’t worth the savings in the long run.

Deluxe Wood Carving Kit

This deluxe kit from BeaverCraft includes eight carving knives with walnut handles, as well as a leather strop and polishing compound to keep them sharp and effective. A high-quality leather roll keeps the tools together and protected when not being used, and is convenient for transporting to your back porch, campsite, or workbench.

Each knife is pre-sharpened and ready to use right out of the box, and their ergonomic wood handles ensure you always have a sturdy, safe grip while you work. With the range of blade sizes and types, the set is versatile enough to tackle a wide variety of carving and whittling projects. While it’s more expensive than most wood carving tools on our list, the quality construction and stylish case could be worth it to the right customer, or as a gift for someone else.

Professional Wood Carving Kit

Despite the budget-friendly price, this 24-piece kit provides a ton of functionality. It features three separate sets, so whether you need an extra-small.11-inch triangular knife for delicate detail work, or a heavy-duty.7-inch chisel for chipping away waste, this kit has you covered. Each type of knife also has its own specific handle type and length too, maximizing control and precision during use.

With such a wide variety of blade shapes and styles, like triangular, round, curved, and straight options, this set is more versatile than most, plus it’s a good choice for those interested in fruit or vegetable carving.

Carvin' Jack Wood Carving Tool

Perfect for campers, hunters, or those who just don’t want to deal with storing and organizing separate knives, this foldable model packs six different carving tools into one compact unit. The updated version of Flexcuts popular Carvin’ Jack model, this multi-tool features a heavy-duty aluminum handle, and a locking mechanism to prevent accidental finger cuts while carving.

At just 4.25 inches long when closed, it fits conveniently into a backpack pouch, coat pocket, or glove box. Its foldable design also ensures the sharp blades are safely locked away when not in use, eliminating the chances of accidental damage during transport.

Deluxe S15X Whittling Knives Set

This three-piece BeaverCraft set is perfect for wood carvers who don’t have the need or budget for a larger kit. With a carving, whittling, and roughing blade, the set provides the variety needed to cover a wide range of basic carving projects. It also offers high-quality, carbon steel blades built to last a long time.

The attractive leather pouch features individual slots for each knife, and a buckled strap adds to the high-end look. The included stropping kit fits inside as well, making the entire set convenient to carry wherever you plan on carving.

Deluxe Wood Carving Kit S50X

With a large, two-handled draw knife–essential for removing large amounts of wood or debarking logs–this BeaverCraft kit is ideal for larger carving projects. You get eight additional knives with a range of blades to cover more intricate tasks, as well. Since it includes a large stropping block and three different polishing compounds, everything you need to maintain the draw knife and smaller tools is included.

We’re also big fans of the leather shoulder bag, a comfortable and stylish alternative to typical pouches and rolls usually offered.

Wood Carving Knife 120

If you’re looking for a single tool for all-around use, and would rather not deal with organizing multiple blades, you can’t go wrong with this Morakniv knife. Its 2.4-inch blade is short enough to control, while still long enough to remove larger amounts of wood while shaping.

The full-tang design adds to its overall durability and balanced feel, and the barrel-shaped handle provides a secure grip for maximum control. We also appreciate the included belt sheath for blade protection and convenient carrying.

9-Piece Premium Deluxe Palm Set

This nine-piece set is best for carvers who prefer the ergonomics of European knob–style handles. These short, broad handles fit snugly into the palm of your hand, and although they require some practice, the increased stability and control is worth the extra effort. For larger projects, the kit comes in a wider version, in addition to a beginners five-piece set.

Made out of cherry wood and with brass ferrules for added strength, these are truly gorgeous tools. Also, everything is packed neatly in a ready-to-gift cherry wood storage box.

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