For the beginning wood carver, choosing the right tools can be a confusing and expensive process. This Hack offers insights to help you select carving gouges without wasting money, including a list of the 12 essential tools I use in every carving I make.

Wood carving is an incredibly enjoyable creative outlet. The process of getting started as a wood carver can seem challenging, but with the right information, you can save yourself frustration, spend your money wisely, and get on the path to creating your first carving more quickly.

Many new carvers purchase a pre-packaged set of tools to get started. These sets are less expensive than purchasing the tools individually and can seem like a good plan. In reality, you end up with several tools that get little or no use, and this negates the savings that buying the set provides.

There are three things to consider when choosing your first carving tools: what you want to carve, what will fit your hands, and what makes a good assortment of carving gouges.