The Ashley Iles Peter Benson Carving Tool Set 2 isn't a generic selection, it was developed from real data. Peter Benson tracked which tools his students reached for most often over several weeks of teaching, and this set is the result: six tools that earn their place through actual use rather than assumption.
What each tool brings to the bench:
- No.41 Straight V Tool, 1/16" (45°) - a narrow, tight-angled V-tool for fine line work, delicate outlining and decorative grooves where a wider angle would remove too much material
- No.39 Straight V Tool, 3/16" (60°) - a wider V-tool for bolder outlining and establishing the main lines of a composition before detail work begins
- No.18 Curved Gouge, 1/8" (No.9 sweep) - a small, deep gouge for tight hollows and fine detail recesses in confined areas
- No.4LC Skew Gouge, 5/16" - paring into corners and along angled lines from one direction
- No.4RC Skew Gouge, 5/16" - the mirror-image partner, working the opposite corner so the pair can clean out acute angles and undercuts from both sides
- No.3 Shallow Gouge, 3/8" - a gentle, broad sweep for smoothing surfaces and blending transitions between forms
Supplied in an Ashley Iles carving tool roll, this set rewards carvers who already understand the basics and want tools that genuinely get used, not just owned.