How to Store Wood Carving Tools: Maintain Whittling Tools Properly

Compliance with the rules for storing wood carving tools and accessories is no less important than compliance with the rules for their use. Good woodworking tools are indispensable in various types of work: joinery, carpentry, wood carving, and others. When you have just a couple of chisels and a carving knife, you can find a place to store them almost anywhere, while many tools and consumables require a different approach. If you choose an improper way of storing instruments, they will quickly become unusable.

Tool Care: Looking After Your Tools

The arsenal of a wood carver may consist of a vast number of tools. All your wood carving and whittling knives, chisels, gouges, and spoon carving tools will return the favor and last longer if you take good care of them. It implies not only careful use but also proper storage of tools.
Throwing tools in a bag does not mean storing them properly. If you want your wood carving knives, chisels, and sharpening accessories to have high performance and a long life span, keep your tools in order, so they are always ready for carving. Modern tool storage systems are now available at different prices and options. They will help to comply with many rules that professionals always follow.

The simple tips in this article will be practical for storing all kinds of tools – whittling/wood carving knives, spoon carving tools (hook knives), gouges, chisels, basic whittling kits, sharpening systems, and tools accessories. They will significantly facilitate the work on each whittling project and help properly organize the workspace.

Whittling for Beginners: A Guide to Smart Tool Storage

Make the most of every square centimeter – follow our tool storage ideas to help organize your tools and make your wood carving journey smoother.

Cabinets

A compact tool cabinet is a closed storage method. It does not let the dirt and dust get inside, and the tools are not visible from the outside. This method is suitable for storage in a house, apartment, workshop, or garage.

Tool Stands

You can use a tool stand or rack if you are not limited to square meters. This open storage method maintains a feeling of spaciousness. In addition, such constructions are convenient for space zoning. You can store boxes and containers with tools on the stand's shelves.

Shelves

You can buy or make storage shelves yourself by buying all the necessary materials and accessories at a hardware store. You can put your tools in transparent plastic containers to avoid humidity, dust, or dirt.

Wall-Hanging Modules

Storing the tool on the wall will save you decent space – such modular wall organizers can be hung in different wall parts. Those tools that you need the most you can place at eye and hand level to provide the most convenient access. Those that you use less frequently can be hung higher or lower.

Boxes

Tool storage boxes can be DIY or found at a garage sale. It is convenient to keep big-size woodworking tools like wood carving hatchets or mallets.

Tool Cases, Bags, and Tool Rolls

Storing tools in bags and roll-up cases is convenient, saves space, and looks stylish. It is a great traveling option. If you love to enjoy wood carving outdoors or you have to bring your tools from the garage and back to it, buying a high-quality tool set with a beautiful, durable and functional leather bag is wise. Storing tools in tool bags can bring you many advantages: tool bags are mobile and practical, and they are much easier to take on a road trip or hiking.

Regardless of the place where you prefer to carve wood – outdoors, in your apartment, garage, or workshop, you should follow some recommendations> when storing your tools:

• The room should be warm and dry. Always keep there the same level of temperature and humidity. It will protect your instruments from rust and corrosion;
• Clean your tools after each use;
• Tools should be stored so that their working parts (blades) do not touch each other;
• Do not store your tools in direct sunlight;
• Regularly check the condition of tools and knives you rarely use;
• Cover the toll blades with wax or any oil. It will protect them from moisture, but this method may stain the tool bag.

To keep carving instruments away from rust:

• Store them clean and dry;
• Keep moisture out of your toolbox, as it can be a hotbed for rust to build up;
• Put some silica gel packs in the toolbox or a toll case.

As an option, take a large zip bag the size of the tool roll, place silica gel in it and store it like that. Don't forget to change it periodically.

Of course, for a convenient carving process, it is ideal to have a special workbench, rack, or shelves (you can buy ready-made solutions or do it yourself from available materials). But this is only possible if there is enough space and you have a large set of various carving tools.

If there are few items and there is not enough space to organize a workshop, it is best to purchase a special tool roll, bag, or tool holder. Storing your carving knives in such a system will help you avoid injury and quickly find the necessary tools without problems.

At BeaverCraft, you can find varioustools organizers and tool cases with many slots and pockets for your favorite wood carving instruments. Working on your whittling projects for beginners with our tool storage systems will be fun and easy.

To Sum Up

The clever tool organization largely determines the success of a woodcarver in this type of activity. Attentiveness and a responsible approach to instrument storage build up a unique work philosophy, distinguishing a high-class professional from others.

Following the basic principles and buying the right storage system for tools means that a carver – beginner or experienced – is willing to develop, improve and succeed.

If you store your tools and woodworking accessories correctly and use special tool cases and organizers, they will last a very long time. Think ahead about their storage so you don’t waste your money.

Author:

Roman Law

Wood carving guru


From a childhood enchanted by nature, my passion for wood carving guided me on a path of creativity. With a pocket knife, I uncovered the transformative power of my hands, breathing life into driftwood and forging a lifelong connection with the medium.