32-piece wood carving chisel set Kirschen 3163000

The 32-piece wood carving chisel set 3163000 brings together seven blade profiles in widths from 1 mm to 30 mm. Each blade is forged from high-carbon steel and through-hardened to 61 HRC. The factory bevel is ground at 17°, an angle matched to softwood. Handles are hornbeam with an octagonal section, so the hand can feel the blade orientation without looking.

The set arrives in a microfibre roll bag that keeps every edge separated during transport and storage. An Arkansas sharpening set 3704000 is supplied with it for edge maintenance. The range of sizes covers roughing cuts and fine detail in the same kit. Carvers can move from wide surface work to 1 mm line work without changing tool families. Manufacture takes place in Germany.

Construction and materials of the 32-piece wood carving chisel set

High-carbon steel blades at 61 HRC

Blade steel is high-carbon, through-hardened across the full section rather than case-hardened at the surface. The measured hardness is 61 HRC. That level holds an edge through repeated paring cuts in softwood and resists abrasion during continuous work. The 17° factory bevel reduces cutting resistance and lets the edge enter the fibre cleanly, which matters when shaping, grooving or finishing a carved surface.

• High-carbon steel, through-hardened
• Hardness 61 HRC
• Factory bevel angle 17°, ground for softwood
• Edge retention suited to extended carving sessions
• Abrasion resistance under continuous use

At 61 HRC the edge keeps its geometry under hand pressure and mallet taps, while retaining enough toughness to avoid chipping on contact with hard grain. The shallow 17° bevel slices instead of tearing, limiting torn fibre on end grain. This combination supports both outlining and smoothing passes.

Octagonal hornbeam handles

Handles are turned from hornbeam and shaped with an octagonal cross-section. The flats give the fingers a reference point, so the cutting edge can be rolled to a precise angle and held there. Hornbeam is dense and takes mallet impact without splitting. It also absorbs part of the vibration transmitted from the blade, which reduces hand fatigue during detail work.

• Hornbeam handle material
• Octagonal cross-section for slip resistance
• Flats aid accurate blade-angle positioning
• Impact resistant, no splitting in normal use
• Balanced weight distribution per tool

Control of direction and force is what separates clean carving from stray cuts. The octagonal form prevents the handle rolling in the palm between strokes. Combined with the balanced mass of each chisel, the handle lets the carver apply light paring pressure or drive the tool with a mallet.

Set contents and blade sizes

All 32 chisels belong to seven profile families, each offered in several widths. Straight edges handle flat clearing, curved gouges hollow and round forms, and V-tools cut lines and separations. The smallest blade measures 1 mm for very fine incisions; the widest reaches 22 mm in the 3108 family, with straight sizes running to 20 mm.

• 3101 straight edge: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 mm
• 3104: 6, 12 mm
• 3105 curved gouge: 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 mm
• 3108: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 22 mm
• 3111: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 mm
• 3139: 4, 6 mm
• 3147: 1 mm

This spread lets one kit follow a carving from block to finished surface. Wide blades remove waste and level broad faces. Mid sizes establish curves and transitions. The 1 mm blade cuts hair, texture and lettering detail. Storage in the roll bag keeps the sizes in order on the bench.

Common applications

Carvers use the set for decorative objects, figures, reliefs and other artwork in softwood. Typical operations include grooving, cutting curved contours, hollowing recesses and finishing surfaces before sanding. Joiners and restorers apply the same tools to mouldings, ornament repair and pattern work. The 17° bevel and the size range suit workshops that carve regularly rather than occasionally. Training studios and craft schools can equip a bench position with a single kit.

Catalog technical notes

The catalog lists the set as 32 pieces in octagonal form, supplied in a polyester roll bag of microfibre. Blades are high-carbon steel, through-hardened to 61 HRC, ground at 17° for softwood. The Arkansas sharpening set 3704000 is part of the delivery. Production is German.