tools to buy

[Del the cat]

Am I the only guy using a hammer and chisel? I do 90% of my carving with them and the shurform rasp. The crooked knife works great too for anyone (like myself) who doesnt have a special bow vice because you can hold the bow in one hand and carve with the other. Mora makes them for like 15 bucks. You can use a regular knife with the pull technique like a crooked knife but be careful you dont slip and disembowel yourself.

I sometimes use a chisel on the grip and fade area...
Del

[osage outlaw]

My best draw knife came from an antique store for $20.  I picked up a farriors rasp from a farm supply store for $17.  Keep an eye on your local craigslist.com site.  There is usually a lot of good quality tools for a fair price.  That is where I got most of my power tools.  Some of the older tools are better than the new ones they are selling today.