Wood carving chisel set Kirschen 3157000, 12 pcs

A 12-piece wood carving chisel set from Kirschen, reference 3157000, gathers six blade profiles in one leather roll. Each blade is forged from high-carbon tool steel. Hardening takes place in a molten salt bath under electronic control. The measured result is 61 HRC across the working length. The bevel is ground at 25° and polished to a mirror finish.

The kit covers flat, skew, medium gouge, curved gouge, deep gouge and V-tool shapes. All twelve tools share the same octagonal white oak handle. The eight flats stop a chisel rolling off the bench. Sweep numbers follow the European gouge classification used in the Kirschen catalogue. Cut 1 is flat, Cut 5 is a medium sweep, Cut 8 approaches a semicircle. Cut 10 is deeper again, while Cut 39 marks the V-tool. The tools are made by hand in Remscheid, Germany, and the set follows DIN 5139.

What the 12-piece wood carving chisel set includes

Twelve tools represent six catalogue families. Sizes were chosen to cover grooving, blocking out, edge trimming and fine line work. A set of natural Arkansas sharpening stones, reference 3704, ships with the roll. Each stone matches one blade profile and is used with honing oil.

• 3101: 6 mm and 12 mm firmer chisels, Cut 1, straight edge
• 3102: 8 mm skew carving chisel, Cut 1
• 3105: 4, 6 and 10 mm gouges, Cut 5
• 3108: 4, 8 and 12 mm curved gouges, Cut 8
• 3110: 4 and 6 mm deep gouges, Cut 10
• 3139: 6 mm straight V-chisel, Cut 39
• 3704: 12 natural Arkansas slipstones, grit equivalent 6000/8000

Blade steel, hardening and grinding

Blades are forged from high-carbon tool steel, then quenched in a molten salt bath. Electronic control of the bath keeps hardness consistent at 61 HRC along the usable length. The bevel is ground at 25°, a compromise between edge retention and cutting ease. Flutes are polished, so the blade enters timber with less drag and leaves a cleaner surface.

• Blade material: high-carbon tool steel
• Hardness: 61 HRC
• Hardening method: molten salt bath, electronically controlled
• Bevel angle: 25°
• Flutes and bevels polished to a mirror finish
• Standard: DIN 5139

Sharpening follows the supplied stones. Match each slipstone to the sweep of the blade, add honing oil, and work the bevel before touching the back. Polished flutes make it easier to see when the wire edge has gone.

Handles and leather roll

Every tool uses a white oak handle with an octagonal section. The flats give a firm grip during mallet work and paring. The same section stops tools rolling on a sloped bench. The tools are stored in a velour leather roll, which keeps edges apart during transport and longer storage periods.

• Handle material: white oak
• Handle section: octagonal, eight flats
• Storage: velour leather tool roll
• Set size: 12 chisels, 6 blade profiles
• Assembly and finishing by hand

Common applications

The set suits relief carving, ornamental work and sculpture in solid timber. Flat and skew blades clean backgrounds and trim corners. Cut 5 gouges hollow medium grooves and shape curved surfaces. Cut 8 and Cut 10 blades remove volume from thicker stock and cut deep concave lines. The V-tool defines outlines and fine detail before shaping begins. Restorers use the same range to reproduce missing mouldings and carved details on furniture.

Catalogue notes on Cut 5 and Cut 8

The Cut numbers are the sweep classification used across European carving tools. Cut 5 has a moderately deep flute, rounded but not semicircular, used for scooping grooves and curves of medium depth. Cut 8 is markedly deeper and close to a semicircular gouge. It is used for deep channels, strong rounding and bulk removal in raised ornament. Reading the code tells a carver the flute shape without measuring.

Care

Wipe the blades clean after each session. Apply a thin film of oil and store the roll in a dry place. Hone with the matching Arkansas stone as soon as the edge starts to tear fibres rather than slice them. Regular light honing keeps grinding on a wheel to a minimum.