Your First Carving Pattern

V-Gouge

V-gouges have angled cutting edges that create -shaped troughs.

The v-gouge has an angled cutting edge that cuts both sides of the v-shape trough in one pass. Tools vary in the size of the angle with some v-gouge making tight v-cuts and others very wide troughs.

Whenever possible work your v-gouge with the grain of the wood, leading up with the grain. This avoids the gouge from digging into the wood. You can make a v-trough cut using several strokes, each leading away from a central point towards the end of the line or both leading into a central point, depending of the grain direction.

The v-gouge can also be used to smooth the side walls of any area. Place the point of the v in the joint line and lean one side of the gouge against the high wall to make this cut.

V-gouges and round gouges use a slip strop for sharpening. To learn more visit Sharpening your round gouges.

V-cuts Thin v-shaped troughs can be cut to create the veins of your leaves or the detailed, individual hairs in your Wood Spirit.Make several light pressure cuts to slowly lower the depth of your v-trough.