Rock & Stone Carving Tools

Chisels

• Chisels are used to remove material. Chisels allow the carver to rough out the shape and refine it. They may be made from hardened steel or tipped in carbide to produce a harder edge. Point chisels are used to rough out the shape, while tooth chisels, which are also called claw tools, are used to shape the stone. Flat chisels are used for finished surfaces and detailing.

Hammers

• Rock and stone carvers use hammers to drive chisels into the stone. Their use depends on their weight. For example, a 1-lb. hammer can be used for carving small designs, while a 3-lb. hammer can remove large amounts of stone. A 1.5-lb. hammer is an appropriate choice for general carving.

Pitching Tools

• Pitching tools look like chisels, but they have a very wide point. They are also called handsets, and they are used to knock off large chunks from the edge of a square block. They can remove large chunks of stone very quickly.

Rasps

• Rock and stone artisans use rasps to remove chisel marks and smooth out gouge marks. Rasps are long, flat tools with a toothed surface that allows the stone carver to wear away rough surfaces. They leave rough scratch marks behind that can be removed with sandpaper.

Sandpaper

• Rock and stone carvers use sandpaper to smooth out the surface of the stone after the carving is done. Sandpaper is measured by grit, with coarser grits having lower numbers and finer grits, which create a higher degree of polish and shine, having higher numbers. For instance, marble, which is a very soft stone, begins to show a polish with the use of 600 grit sandpaper.