I noticed the other day that Letterhead Sign Supply is now distributing Stubai carving tools.
Now, my current gouges are horrible examples to be sure, and I've been ready to spring for a new set for a while now. I was planning on purchasing some of the swiss made tools from a Canadian company when I noticed that the Purcells were selling the Stubai tools. Seeing as how I'd rather support a Letterville merchant, I'm now considering a set of 8" "Euro tools".
Do any of you carvers out there have any experience with the Stubai tools, good, bad or indifferent? All opinions welcome and all advice gratefully excepted.
Thanks in advance.
Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Jonathan
I have sculpted wood since I was a teen. Because of cost, I picked up tools here and there for many years and have used all of the tools below and still have them.
Harman Dastra marples henry taylor Buck 3 cherry
and a couple more that don't immediately come to mind.
I too have been a dealer of Stubai for 3 years now because I began to use them under the tutelage of a MASTER Woodcarver by the name of Ludwig Keininger, a Bavarian woodcarver. They are a great tool if you use them correctly and know how to properly sharpen them.
I don't post often on this but have been around this for a very long time...I was taught by him to hollow grind these.
Last summer I gave myself a gift by retiring most of my older tools and replacing them with about 120 of the palm and "professional" since I enjoy caricature carving as well as 3-d.
For someone serious, it is a great investment.
I hope this helps
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Johnathan,
IMO, Those are good quality tools....good steal, solidly made, and of poor design. The edge of the blades are wide of the radias of the curve....which doesn't allow you to "drop" an edge to work close to a shoulder that would be intergral in your design. You could only use the gouges with both corners above the material.....very limiting!
IMHO, this would be a serious handicap!
If this isn't quite clear, give me a call.
Your choice..............
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Joe
I just noticed your comments and I beleive your statements to be correct on some tools but your application is directed to use in relief work...no?
I have had to modify many tools in the past as needed and have made no modifications thus far on these. I have however been toying with different angles on the mallet driven tools for better edge life in some wood species.
I just think it is all personal choices with good background knowledge by each individual of the choices available.
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Johnathan,
Sorry to go off your topic here.
Robert,
The answer to your first question is no.
However, I have a question. If someone has good backgroud knowledge, why would they be toying around? Also, if one is aware of all the choices, why wouldn't they always make the same (best) choice?
Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
Posted by Robert Beverly (Member # 1907) on :
Jonathan IMHO They are a good tool and are made in Austria. If you have questions about their design, you can call Ivan Whillock's son a call(his name eludes me) He would be happy to discuss any suggested design flaws others might see. 1-800-901-8099.
Sorry my opinion conflicts with yours Joe. I was told it's ok to disagree and I don't know of any woodcarver that I have ever met that does not modify their tools one way or another for a specific application.
If I want a short "stump cut" in cherry I lessen the angle...to avoid possible shatter of the steel...things like that, and I have shattered many a tool because they were not modified.
Here is an old time favorite...typical wood chisel that has been honed to a 10 degree angle with rounded corners. It allows cuts that a spoon wouldn't.
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Robert,
Sure it's ok to disagree.....what do we disagree on?
Yup, even though the pic you posted is a little blury, that sure looks like a spoon to me.
Have you ever wondered why, after thousands of years of development in the carving trade, a tool like you have shown isn't offered by ANY manufacturer?
Look, before you and I start a debate here, Jack Davis started a post on sharpening carving tools back in Dec. I'll bump it up, you read it and we'll start from there....OK? Let's let Johnathan have his thread back!
I have another question.....whay do these threads always start when I have my back against the wall.....My father in law's funeral is tomorrow and I have to get ready to be on the road for a month starting thurs....damn!!!!
Joe, Makin Chips and NOT havin too much Fun Right Now! Posted by Robert Larkham (Member # 2913) on :
Tools are like cloths. Many different brands and many different opinions on which ones are best. Joe has his favorites and so does Robert. Doesn't mean either is wrong. I have a sign carver up my way who carves everything with a utility knife and has for years. He is a succesful carver and who is to say he is wrong. I use all kinds of different knives and tools to get my work done. So the answer to the original question is YES, Stubai is a good tool ( I own some). Are there better? Maybe. A chevy is a Good car, are there better? Jon, Call Robert and talk to him about these tools. He knows what he is talking about and fun to talk with. He is a wealth of knowledge. I have been told that my original set of tools are junk but they have paid for themselves over and over.
Posted by Jonathan Androsky (Member # 2806) on :
Hey gang, boy did I let this one sit for a while, no? I've been up to my neck lately so I haven't had a ton of time to devote to the board here. Anyhow, thanks to both Joe and Robert for their respective opinions. I do own a couple Pfeil tools and am very appy with them, I may just pick up one or two of the Stubai tools to try them out.
Thanks again for the input. Also Joe, if the offer is still open, I'd like a copy of your grinding / sharpening article. Do I need extra postage on the SASE?
Posted by Ron Percell (Member # 399) on :
Jonathan, a basic combo set will work fine for you, to see if wish to pursue carving.
Heres a set I bought.
I think a person could start off with just about any tool, but some make things easier.
We've sought out the advice of several experience sign professionals besides our own and Stubai seem to be most practical, and well priced. Stubai also has a unconditional guarantee of Replacement or Refund.
Good Luck, Ron
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Post deleted cause I just don't care.
[ October 01, 2003, 06:50 PM: Message edited by: Don Coplen ]
Posted by Jack Davis (Member # 1408) on :
I use Fexicuts (or Flexcut) myself. I've probably ruined myself, because all other chisels feel stiff to me now. I started with Pfeil (swiss made) which are maybe the Cadillac of chisels. The Flexis don't flex much, but make you feel like you are making that desire wrist movement easier. 150.00 will by a nice starter set. They make both palm sets and mallet grips. I'm anxious to hear what others feel about them...Jack
Posted by Greg McRoberts (Member # 3501) on :
Hey Ron,
Do you think the 8" or 10" tools would be better for a beginner like myself?
Thanks!
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Just to clarify a bit....I DO care about carving and chisels...one of my favorite things...
It was the comment that I had originally made that I really didn't care enough to risk throwing this great post off the subject. (I usually count to ten before hitting the "post" button on a post I'm not certain of...only made it to eight on this one. LOL)
Posted by Ron Percell (Member # 399) on :
Greg, I prefer the smaller with my releaf carving for signs, I started out with a releaf set much like the ones feature at LSS http://www.letterheadsignsupply.com/images/stubai/stubai6.jpg this packaged set also has a few basic tutorials to get you started.
Take a look at some of the tips of the chisels then imaging the end results, this set allows you some flexability, and provides some small chisels for detail work.
Ofcoarse if were carving on a large project, say a totem pole, I prefer a large Gouge for most of the intial removal and rough shaping.
give me a call if you want to discuss it at 1-800-531-3359
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