Start stone carving
Shape a block of stone into something that lasts for generations. Start soft, with soapstone and hand tools, and work up to marble one day. Here's the video that hooks everyone, and everything you need for your first carving.
Space neededA sturdy table, best outdoors
First projectA soapstone whale in a weekend
Skill levelBeginner-friendly
Good forPatient makers, would-be sculptors
The video that hooks everyone
Carving a 209-pound block of marble
A 209-pound block of marble, a hammer and a chisel, and a sculpture slowly coming out of the stone. Press play and see why it hooks people.
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Tool list
What you need to start
Everything you need for your first project, and nothing you don't. Soapstone is soft enough to shape with a saw, rasps and sandpaper. Chisels, mallets and harder stone can wait.
Starter kit
01Carving soapstone, 2 to 4 lb.From an art supplier that sells it asbestos-tested for carving.
02Coarse half-round raspDoes the rough shaping fast.
03Riffler setSmall curved files for details and tight spots.
04Old hacksawCuts off big corners. Stone dulls blades, so use an old one.
05Wet/dry sandpaperFrom 220 to 1500 grit. Used wet, it makes slurry, not dust.
06Sandbag or folded towelHolds the stone steady and cushions it.
07Spray bottle + bucket of waterKeeps the stone and the dust wet.
08Respirator, N95 or betterFor any dust that escapes. P100 filters are better.
09Safety glassesChips fly when you saw and rasp.
The manual tells you what to look for when you buy each one.
- 1Carving dryDry carving fills the air with fine dust. Keep the stone and your tools wet, and sand under water.
- 2Ignoring cracksWet the stone and look it over before you start. A hidden crack can split your carving in two.
- 3Rushing to the detailsRough out the whole shape first, then refine. Details carved too early get carved away.
