BeaverCraft V-Parting Tool 60°, Straight, Sweep No. 12 (K12/02)

BeaverCraft K12/02 V-Tool – carving deep, fine lines in softwood

The BeaverCraft K12/02 is a compact, straight V-tool (sweep no. 12) for hand carving. The 60° angle of the cutting edge is suited to carving deep, fine lines, for example outlines, hair and fur textures, lettering or decorative details.

According to BeaverCraft, the carbon steel blade is hand-sharpened and stropped, so it is ready to use straight away. The ash handle is impregnated with oil. With an 80 mm blade and a 115 mm handle, the tool is short and easy to handle, and you hold it close to the cutting edge for good control. It is intended for beginners and experienced wood carvers alike.

Working with the V-tool

Clamp the workpiece firmly and keep both hands behind the cutting edge, never in front of it. Place the tip of the V and push the tool through the wood with even pressure, cutting with the grain; against the grain the wood tears out easily. Deep lines are best carved in several shallow passes rather than in one single deep cut. This keeps the edge clean and you stay in control. The tool is guided by hand only: it is not intended to be struck with a hammer or mallet.

Which wood is suitable?

BeaverCraft sharpens the tool with a 20° bevel angle for softwood. In hardwood the fine edge dulls more quickly, so the manufacturer does not recommend using it there. When the edge starts to lose its sharpness, strop it with a leather strop and polishing compound, and remove wood dust from the blade after carving.

BeaverCraft K12/02 product details

• Manufacturer: BeaverCraft, art. no. K12/02
• Shape: straight V-tool, sweep no. 12
• Blade angle: 60°
• Blade width: 2 mm
• Bevel angle: 20°, hardness 57–59 HRC
• Blade: carbon steel
• Handle: ash, impregnated with oil
• Overall length: 192 mm, blade length 80 mm, handle length 115 mm

You will also need: softwood for carving, a cut-resistant glove for the hand holding the workpiece, a leather strop with polishing compound for touching up the edge

Razor-sharp edge, risk of injury. Use only for precise work by hand; do not strike with a hammer or mallet.