Hi James
I suggest you do a search on the forum as this subject has been discussed a number of times and you can pick the bones out of our answers to suit your needs.
Anyway, my twopennerth if it helps.
*
Don't buy a set initially unless you can find a nice cheap second hand set of good quality chisels, as said you'll end up using only a couple. If you find you like carving - and it's a big if until you try it - you'll buy individual tools to suit what you're carving.
You can start off with a couple of bench chisels and maybe a gouge re-sharpened if you just want to try.
I have dozens of chisels and have sold on around 60 but mainly use probably half a dozen. If you are buying there are a number of makes and we all have favourites, mine being Pfeil but lots of others if you read the threads also if you can get hold of old Addis, Henry Taylor, Robert Sorby and others in good condition they are very nice quality.
* Decide whether to try relief carving or in the round. Relief is generally easier for beginners to try and get initial half decent results. My very first attempt was a Peter Berry design caricature golfer figure about 10" high stupidly using the most stringy mahogany in my stock. I still have it and wonder how it inspired me to do more as the wood was so horrible to work.
* Considering relief or round, how are you going to hold the wood? A number of possible options but it's important.
* Wood: - Your elm. - can produce nice results but not always easiest to work due to open and often wild grain, wouldn't be my choice for a first carving. Lime or basswood would be my recommendation. Oak, walnut, dense mahogany, beech, holly, fruitwoods and many others are quite suitable, some easier than others but in truth most woods can be carved. You could practice on softwood because if you can cut that cleanly ( **very sharp tools ) you'll have little problem with lime.
Using a very difficult wood to start with could put you off for life so give yourself a head start.
My all time favourite wood by a mile is boxwood btw!
** Most important! Tools have to be razor sharp, if you can't do that then I'd strongly suggest you should perfect sharpening before putting tool to wood. Get them sharp, imo angles aren't as critical as some would have you believe though I use different tools for oak than lime, once sharp just a quick strop regularly while working is sufficient.
Last: Be critical of your own work of course but realise that whatever you manage to produce and however imperfect you think it is the other people in your life will be amazed at what you've carved and won't see the faults you do so just enjoy and keep learning, it doesn't stop.
Bob
