Rubber carving tools

There are many different types of carving block suitable for stamp carving. These include:. Erasers are cheap and readily available, making them a great option for first-time stamp carving.

Different types of erasers cut in different ways depending on the materials they're made from. Art gum erasers , for example, are soft and are easy to cut, but prone to crumbling. White rubber erasers are slightly harder to cut but give good clean images. Because erasers can be carved with a craft knife, the investment in materials and supplies is minimal when you go with this option. Speedy-Cut is an all-purpose carving block made by Speedball Art Products that is available in a range of sizes.

The white carving block is made from high-density rubber. It is easy to carve, low cost, and ideal for beginners. Sharp carving tools should be used to get the best results. Another product made by Speedball Art Products, these pink carving blocks are designed specifically for carving.

If you plan on carving intricate designs, Speedy-Carve works great with sharp carving tools for cutting fine details. Keep your design relatively simple. If you try to carve really fine details, you might get frustrated with these rubber blocks tearing or flaking apart.

Also, keep in mind that your carved image will print in reverse so plan your design accordingly - especially when working with letters and numbers. You can use tracing and graphite paper to reverse your image onto your rubber block, if needed.

Now, grab a V-gouge or U-gouge and start carving your design. Like I mentioned above, these blocks are soft so carve slowly. Always carve in a direction away from your other hand for safety's sake. Take your tube of block printing ink and put a dab on a sheet of glass, mirror or metal tray. Spread out the ink with a palette knife or piece of cardboard and roll out the ink with your brayer until you get a thin, even layer on it. Then, roll the ink onto your block.

This is different than how I usually print my linoleum and wood blocks, as those are printed with the block underneath the paper. You need enough pressure to transfer the ink to the paper but too much brut force can distort your image because the rubber blocks are soft.

You could even use a baren to push down on the block. While it may seem contrary to reason, tools are safest when they are sharp. Dull tools require more pressure to be applied, creating a higher risk of the tool slipping and cutting you. To reduce the risk even further, ensure that the sharp edge of your tool is facing away from you and that your hands are always behind the sharp edge.

There are some techniques and ways to hold the wood, especially when whittling or spoon carving, where one can cut towards oneself, but use care when doing this. This way, if your tool does happen to slip, it is less likely to stab or cut you. It is very easy to sharpen by hand using a sharpening stone and strop and only takes a couple of minutes.

An electric grinder is not necessary unless your tool is very damaged and needs to be ground down to remove large chips or deep scratches. Once you have carved your piece you will need to finish it. This might mean sanding it down to remove gouge or chisel marks or just applying a finish like oil, wax, or varnish to make it shine and protect the wood from weathering. Some carvers like the rough effect of chisel and gouge marks as it highlights the handcrafted nature of their piece.

Others like to smooth these out for a more professional look. You can use rasps or rifflers , which are types of files that come in a variety of shapes and sizes for fitting into small spaces and are well suited to smoothing curved surfaces. Finishes to protect the wood and create an attractive shine include oils , waxes, and varnishes. Bowls and spoons should be finished with food-safe finishes like coconut oil or beeswax. No matter your skill level, wood carving is a great pastime that can be done with minimal equipment — although it is almost inevitable that you will end up with an overflowing tool chest as you get deeper into the craft.

Contents [ show ]. View on Amazon. Why we like it: These versatile chisels are made of good quality steel with comfortable beechwood handles for an affordable price. Pros High quality, comparable to more expensive chisels Affordable Variety in sizes for completing projects Easy for beginners to use Great for a variety of projects from chip carving, relief carving, and sculpting.

Why we like it: These are high-quality tools that can be used for most types of wood carving. Pros Wide variety of chisels and gouges High-quality steel Canvas storage pouch included eBook included Comfortable handles. Cons Sharpening required before first use Sharpening equipment not included. Why we like it: This set is great for whittlers or those wanting to do chip carving, no matter your skill level.

Pros Great value for an affordable price Versatile — for whittling and chip carving, some sculpting Great for beginners, comes with instructions on how to use and sharpen Includes sharpening equipment Hold their edge well after sharpening. Cons Need to be sharpened before using — learning curve for beginners. Why we like it: This tool set has great variety for the price and is ideal for children and beginners who want to start on smaller projects and softer materials like pumpkins.

Pros Wide variety of tools Includes sharpening equipment Comfortable handles Good for beginners including kids. Cons Best suited to softer materials as blades often break or chip Lose their edge quickly. Pros Full tang blades, very sturdy Comfortable handles Great for beginners, including kids Includes sharpening equipment. Cons Blades occasionally have nicks Only medium-sized gloves available — not suitable for all buyers.

Pros Well-shaped handle Specialized carving mallet for fine detail work Quiet — good absorbency but heavy enough to make deep cuts. Cons Unfinished handle Weights in head can come loose and rattle. Why we like it: This set is for anyone interested in whittling and spoon carving, even if you are left-handed.

Pros Left- and right-handed hook knife available Ready to use straight out of the box Sturdy blades and handles. Why we like it: Beechwood is a durable but lightweight wood, making this mallet ideally suited to giving and receiving hard knocks without taking or causing damage to your wood and tools. Pros Well balanced Useful standard weight Versatile for use in carving and other types of woodwork. Cons Unfinished, rough edges Handle might need some shaping to be comfortable.

Why we like it: This chisel set has large, comfortable handles and comes with a roll-up storage pouch for easy use and transportation. Cons Not very high-quality steel Occasionally nicks and burrs Poorly made storage case. Why we like it: This set has everything you need for all types of wood carving, with no need to buy anything else.

Pros Wide variety of tools for all types of wood carving Includes sharpening equipment Great for beginners. Chip Carving Chip carving and relief carving are similar in that they are incisions made onto a flat piece of wood to create a 3-D pattern or image. Use the knives to make angled cuts and pick or chip the wood out of the cuts. Chisels — While these are not strictly necessary for chip carving, if you are interested in other forms of wood carving that uses chisels, you can use them for chip carving without needing to buy a separate set of carving knives.

Chisels have straight edges and so are ideal for making geometric patterns. Mallet — A mallet will help guide your chisels to make deeper, even cuts, removing a predictable amount of material with each pass. It is not needed when using carving knives.

Wood — Any wood is fine, but Linden wood is commonly preferred by chip carvers. Relief Carving Like chip carving, relief carving is usually done on a flat wooden surface, but it can also be used to decorate curved surfaces like bowls and chair legs.

Since it has no added drying element, it has a longer working time than most other inks. These inks come in a wide variety of colors including four different blacks and two sizes. Check out the full list of colors at the link below, or grab the seven-piece starter set to try them out right away. When it comes to the best paper for linoleum prints, personal preference plays a strong role. Each paper has its own personality and characteristics, so the best thing to do is try a few and find one you like.

German-made Zerkall papers are the perfect mix of smoothness and texture, adding a touch of character to your prints without overpowering the imagery. These lightweight sheets are made from natural fibers like kozo, gampi, bamboo, and cotton, and no two sheets are ever alike.

Grab a sheet sampler pack 2 of each type of sheet at the link below. Somerset is a popular brand among linocut printmakers, offering a smooth surface with no imperfections.

These papers are all quite thick at gsm or more, so be aware that these are better suited for use with a press. These are truly premium sheets, and carry a price to match. However, they come in a variety of colors, which is one way to add character to your prints. A personal favorite is black, which looks incredible with gold or bronze-colored ink. Do you have any favorite linocut tools, blocks, inks, or other products? Let everyone know in the comments below! Learn new creative skills with an exclusive 1-week 1-month free trial of Skillshare Premium!

Use the menu below to skip to the section most relevant for you. Happy carving! Pros piece kit Includes all essential tools Variety of lino blocks. Cons No paper included Middling cutter quality. Check pricing. Pros piece kit Includes all essential tools Four ink colors and extender Two lino blocks.

Pros Inexpensive Includes key tools to get started Soft cut lino block included. Cons No paper included Only one lino block. Pros Very inexpensive Materials for two designs Soft lino blocks included. Cons No paper included Small ink roller Only two cutters. Pros Very inexpensive Includes 5 cutters Cutters stored in handle Perfect for soft lino blocks. Cons Will not cut harder lino May not come very sharp.

Pros Sharp, reliable cutters Comfortable handle Includes sharpening materials Handy tool roll for storage. Cons Only one handle included A bit pricey. Pros Very easy to carve Hold detail well Come in many sizes Ideal for beginners.

Cons Thin and flexible Not ideal for fabric prints. Pros Holds detail very well Readily available everywhere Inexpensive. Cons Somewhat difficult to carve Requires practice May dry out over time.