Woodcut tools

There are two main tools in woodcut to scoop out sections of wood, the curved gouge and the v-tool. The gouge makes broad cuts which are recognizable on a print for the round beginning of each stroke as the tool enters the wood. The v-tool hakes narrow cut which are recognizable for the sharp beginning of each stroke. On plankwood these tools can be used along and across wood grain; on plywood they produce smooth cuts following the grains. Other frequently used tools are the flat chisel and the knife. Chisels are used to remove large areas; knifes are used to cut along the shape of the image for a delicate result.

1. v-tool
2. gouge
3. chisel
4. knife cutter

Woodcut tools are made in different styles from West to East. Western tools come with a thick handle. To use a gouge and a v-tool, hold the handle in the palm with index finger pressing the blade, cutting away from the body at a shallow angle to the wood block. Eastern tools come with a thin handle. To use an Eastern woodcutting tool, hold the tool like holding a pencil, with other hand reinforcing the hold, cutting away from the body at a deep angle to the wood block. To make cuts of different directions, turn the wood, not the tool.

1. Eastern woodcut tool
2. Western woodcut tool

The cutting tools should be kept sharp at all times. Use a sharpening stone which comes in two grades, coarse and fine. To sharpen a v-tool, push the blade forward, taking each cutting edge separately. To sharpen a gouge, turn the blade from side to side, using a downward, rolling action. At the finish wipe off the dust by a strip of tissue or rice paper and oil the inside edge for protection.