A few carving tool terms

Gouge	Carving tool with a curved cutting edge. The most used catagory of carving tools.
Sweep	The curvature of the cutting edge of a carving gouge. A lower number (like #3) indicates a shallow, flat sweep while a high number (like #10) is used for a deeply curved gouge
Veiner	A deep gouge with a U shaped cutting edge. Usually #11 sweep.
Chisel	A carving tool with a straight cutting edge (usually termed #1 sweep) at right angles (or square to) the sides of the blade.
Skew Chisel	A chisel with the edge at a "skew" or angle relative the sides of the blade. Often termed #2 sweep
V Tool or Parting Tool	A carving tool with a V shaped cutting edge. Used for outlining and decorative cuts.
Long Bent	A gouge, chisel or V tool where the blade is curved along it's entire length. Handy for deep work.
Short Bent or Spoon	A gouge, chisel or V tool where the blade is straight with a curve at the end, like a spoon. Use for work in deep or inaccessable areas.
Fishtail	A gouge or chisel with a straight, narrow shank that flares out at the end to form a "fishtail" shaped tool. The narrow shaft of the tool allows for clearance in tight areas.
Back Bent	A spoon gouge with a reverse bent end. Used for undercuts and reeding work.
Palm Tools	Short (5"), stubby tools used with one hand while the work is held in the orther. Great for detail and small carving.
Full-size Tools	10" to 11" tools used with two hands.
Tang	The tapered part of the blade that is driven into the handle.
Bolster	A flared section of the blade near the tang that keeps the blade from being driven further into the handle.
Ferrule	A metal collar on the handle that keeps the wood from splitting when the tool is used with a mallet. Some tools have an external, visible ferrule while others have an internal ferrule.
Rc / Rockwell	A scale that indicates the hardness of steel. A Rockwell range of 58 to 61 is considered optimum for fine woodworking edge tools.

Courtesy Diefenbacher Tools

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