I just got a large shipment of gouges and have them available for sale on my school store on my main web site. The company that makes them is a German company – Dastra (also called Frank Mittermeier who first started importing them in 1936). These are the tools I started out with over 20 years ago and they have been making and perfecting woodcarving tools since 1835.
I have just received a large shipment of some of my favorite shaped fishtail gouges and straight gouges. I am still waiting for some more to come in. My endeavor is to keep the tools in the category of “My Favorite Carving Tools” in stock. If any of the tools you are wanting are not currently available, you will see “available on back-order”. Keep in mind that these back-orders may take up to several months to receive them from Germany.
These tools are beautifully finished and expertly shaped. I love their fishtail shaped gouges! Another reason I like the Dastra tools is that they offer all sizes and curvatures. They make every size of fishtail from 6mm to 40mm, straight gouges from 1mm to 40mm, and they also make spoon bent, long bent, and back bent gouges from 1mm to 40mm.
They offer curvatures from #1 (flat chisel), #2 (skew chisel), #3 thru #11. Check on the website to see images of sizes and curvatures.
So if you need that very obscure gouge to fit into that awkward corner that only one size and curvature will do, then you’ve come to the right place! With many of the gouges that are not in “My favorite carving tools” category, you might have to wait a little while – but it’s worth the wait!