[Orodnil37]

I hope this is the right place because I don't know where else to ask, I have a lot of questions but I don't know anyone who can help me. I have just begun to approach stone carving and I need some advice. What are the best types of chisels for a beginner? Where can I buy a good set? I need something like the one in the picture

 

[John Smith_inFL]

welcome to the forum, Orodnil.
I too have the "urge" to do stone carving. I bought an entry level carving set years ago and still haven't gotten up the ambition to get started in it. My main interest was carving letters and graphics into soft stone like alabaster or white marble. I guess sort of like headstones.
When I was in the US Navy back in the '70s, I had a short tour of duty in Naples and as I was walking around exploring, I heard this tap-tap-tap-chip-chip-chip from under a set of stairs. Looking in, I saw these three old guys chipping away at marble headstones and I was mezmerized at the simplicity of their tools and they invited me to sit and watch for awhile. Then, one of the guys handed me a chisel and mallet and a piece of broken headstone and let me carve some letters. wow - I was hooked right there. BUT - as usual, life gets in the way and we just never get back to our previous interests.
I was stationed in Sardinia for 3 years and I still long for the slower pace of life.
If you are in Italy, I would search out some stone carving places that offer training or volunteer opportunities to at least get your feet wet.
My motto is "buy tools as you need them". Buying a good quality entry level set of Itialian or German tools would be my suggestion - not from China or Asia and add to the set as needed. If you are near Naples, check around there for Stone Carving Supplies. (Stone Sculpture Supplies)
Please keep us in the loop. I find your interest in stone carving very valuable. OH - and don't count out pneumatic and power carving methods and tools.
John in Florida

 

[Orodnil37]

welcome to the forum, Orodnil.
I too have the "urge" to do stone carving. I bought an entry level carving set years ago and still haven't gotten up the ambition to get started in it. My main interest was carving letters and graphics into soft stone like alabaster or white marble. I guess sort of like headstones.
When I was in the US Navy back in the '70s, I had a short tour of duty in Naples and as I was walking around exploring, I heard this tap-tap-tap-chip-chip-chip from under a set of stairs. Looking in, I saw these three old guys chipping away at marble headstones and I was mezmerized at the simplicity of their tools and they invited me to sit and watch for awhile. Then, one of the guys handed me a chisel and mallet and a piece of broken headstone and let me carve some letters. wow - I was hooked right there. BUT - as usual, life gets in the way and we just never get back to our previous interests.
I was stationed in Sardinia for 3 years and I still long for the slower pace of life.
If you are in Italy, I would search out some stone carving places that offer training or volunteer opportunities to at least get your feet wet.
My motto is "buy tools as you need them". Buying a good quality entry level set of Itialian or German tools would be my suggestion - not from China or Asia and add to the set as needed. If you are near Naples, check around there for Stone Carving Supplies. (Stone Sculpture Supplies)
Please keep us in the loop. I find your interest in stone carving very valuable. OH - and don't count out pneumatic and power carving methods and tools.
John in Florida

Thank you for telling me your story, I find it very interesting and I hope you can start stone carving soon. Like you, I am amazed when I see works of art made with such simple tools, the photo below is a work by Canova, who certainly did not have mechanical tools, also for this reason I would like to try to use only simple tools, like the masters of the past did. I'll try to find a good set and keep you updated