Need some advice on carving equipment

[JOAT]

I've still got a carpenter pencil or two, but I would only use them for very rough work. I much prefer the el cheapo Pentel type pencils that sels for a buck or two for 10 or 12. Fine, consistent line, like you don't get with a carpenter pencil. And, the pocket clip keeps them from rolling, anyway I usually stick them back in my pocket.

Personally, I doubt I'd ever use a marking knife, I prefer pencils.

If homemade carving tools won't satisfy you, then you obviously need to lower your standards. LMAO

 

[CarvedTones]

I use a pencil against a steel straight edge and then I cut on the straight edge of the pencil line, not down the middle of the line. Carpenters' pencils make a nice thick line that is easy for me to see. But whether the line is .001" or 5' wide, the clean edge is the same size (virtually zero). It's where the mark ends that the cut begins.