There are numerous types of sharpening tools you will need as a wood carver. Find links to some of the most popular ones below.

Related: How to Cut a Square Hole in Wood

Hobo Polishing Wheel

Laminated Leather Wheel 4″ dia. can be used on a portable drill, drill press or small motor with a 1/2″ shaft.  Designed for the carver not wanting to invest in an expensive sharpening system.  Now you can polish those hard to sharpen gouges and V tools.  Comes with a 1/2″ dia arbor ready to install. Max Speed 1750 rpm.

Cotton Buffing Wheels 1 3/8″ Thick  1/2″ Holes 

Best Spiral sewn buffing wheels made with 100% cotton material works well with all compounds. These cotton buff are tight sewn all the way across for extra firmness.

Cotton Buffing Wheels 1 3/8″ Thick  5/8″ Holes 

Best Spiral sewn buffing wheels made with 100% cotton material works well with all compounds. These cotton buff are tight sewn all the way across for extra firmness.

Find out if you can glue wood together before carving.

Wooden MDF wheels

MDF Wooden wheels for tool and knife sharpening and buffing.  8″ dia by 3/4″ thick with 1/2″ or 5/8″ center hole.  Can be mounted on and 6″ or 8″ grinder that has removable guards.  These wheels hold the shape and maintain a flat surface much longer than leather wheels…and are great for stabilizing an edge.

Leather Buffing Wheel

Leather Buffing Wheel – Solid laminated leather 7″ x 1″ with 1/2″ or 5/8″ arbor hole.  Just for those folks that like leather to do their buffing and polishing.  Helps in getting your tools razor sharp.  1425 Maximum RPM’s

EZE-LAP Diamond

Products has been the pioneer and originator of diamond sharpeners since the early 1970’s. Our patented diamond process and modern technology allows EZE-LAP to produce the finest quality diamond products for the lowest possible price. The patented process of heat treatment that bonds the highest quality industrial grade diamond particles in a stainless alloy to a precision matched metal substrate. The resulting surface integrity from the EZE-LAP process measures about 72 on the Rockwell C hardness scale. These diamond stone sharpeners are quicker, easier, and used without water or oil.

Paper Sharpening Wheels

Fiber (paper) wheels for tool and knife sharpening and buffing. 8″ dia by 3/4″ thick with 1/2″ center hole. Can be mounted on and 6″ or 8″ grinder that has removable guards. One wheel has silicon carbide for cutting and the other uses a buffing compound for honing to a super sharp edge. Kit includes both wheel, coolant, buffing compound, and additional silicon carbide grit. Comes with complete instructions on applications.

Texaswoodcarvers.com has lots of great info – so be sure to check out our guide to wood carving on the home page.

It is important to have sharp tools for wood carving because they are more precise and accurate, which results in cleaner and neater carvings. A sharp tool also requires less force to cut through the wood, which can be important when working on intricate designs. Finally, a sharp tool is less likely to tear the wood fibers, which can cause problems with the overall appearance of the carving.

Make sure to sharpen your tools regularly to ensure the best results when carving wood.

Sharpening wood carving tools always needs the help of a fine sharpening machine. We sell all the parts to assemble a  system the way you want.  Select parts listed below to make your superior sharpening tool. Make your system as big or as small as you wish.  Bench mounted or portable units that you can take with you on a trip or to a carving event.  All you need is the shaft (either 1/2″ or 5/8″), a belt and a motor and your ready to assemble.

See our recommended woods to get started with carving.