Sculpting stone is the art of creating sculptures, normally with manual tools, from blocks of stone. This practice has been carried out for centuries upon centuries, practically as long as humans have inhabited the earth. If you’re just getting started in this world, would you like to know which are the most commonly used tools for sculpting stone?
Basic tools for working stone
There are different tools for carving stone, but generally speaking, these are the most commonly used by sculptors:
- Pitching Chisel. This is the basic tool for smoothing down rock – in other words, to get rid of the coarser parts of a material that is intended to be polished.
- Toothed chisel. This is a tool whose structure is based on a paintbrush, but featuring cuts with separated teeth, key to modelling stone.
- Chisel : The chisel is a basic tool used to cut small surfaces and shape the sculpture.
- Point Chisel. These may have different thicknesses and are usually also used in the smoothing-down process.
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Sculpting mallet or hammer : A tool with a round or faceted head used to strike chisels. It provides the necessary leverage for carving without damaging the tools or the stone.
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Bell hammer : Similar to the previous one, but with a longer or bell-shaped shape. It is especially used for precision work or when a softer, more controlled blow is required.
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Tracer : Tool that allows you to mark straight lines on the stone, essential for guiding cuts and maintaining proportions.
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Riffers & Rasp : Similar in shape to a metal paintbrush, they have separate teeth that allow you to shape the stone, create textures and smooth carved areas.
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Splitter wedges : These are inserted into previously made cuts to fracture large stones in a controlled and precise manner.
All about dry stone at Rock & Tools
Now that you know the basic tools for stone carving, are you ready to get started? Rock&Tools We sell a variety of stoneworking tools, and we only work with the best brands. On our website, you can find a comprehensive catalog of the best stone carving tools, but if you need information about other tools, please contact us for advice. Join our community! You can follow us on our social media.
