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At under $20, this Chinese-made gouge set is a serious competitor to the renowned SWISS-MADE Pfeil brand.
Over the last 40 to 50 years, Pfeil (Swiss Made) has become a highly respected brand in the woodworking community, widely recognized as the benchmark for premium-quality carving tools. This Swiss manufacturer produces beautiful and practical carving gouges, knives, and mallets—renowned for their exceptional steel quality and ergonomic comfort. In the United States, Woodcraft has been Pfeil’s exclusive distributor for decades, featuring the brand prominently in its catalog. Pfeil tools are not cheap—averaging around $40 per gouge—but their edge retention and craftsmanship justify the price.
As a long-time owner of several Pfeil gouges, I can personally attest to their quality. These tools are used daily in the woodworking program I teach for students from 4th to 12th grade. Their ability to hold an edge through heavy use makes them a reliable choice for both professional and educational settings.
However, in recent years, more manufacturers from developing markets have started replicating the design and performance of premium American and European tools—often with impressive results. These manufacturers are leveraging global supply chains and improved production standards to create tools that closely match their Western counterparts in quality at a fraction of the cost.
Some close-up images of the Chinese-made gouges. While they are not as refined shaped or finely sharpened as the Pfeil tools, they are worth consideration.
Schaaf Tools: A Direct Competitor
One standout example is Schaaf Wood Carving Tools, a company that imports to the U.S. and produces gouges strikingly similar to Pfeil’s. I’ve been following Schaaf’s development for a few years and have noticed how they’ve expanded their product line. Their gouges are nearly identical to Pfeil’s in handle design and blade geometry—although Schaaf’s blades tend to have a thicker, more rectangular cross-section than Pfeil’s narrower, rounded profile.
Side-by-side comparison between the SWISS MADE (top) and the Chinese (bottom).
Chinese OEM Manufacturing and Private Labeling
Interestingly, Schaaf’s success seems to have inspired other brands to tap into the same manufacturing pipeline. Several companies now source virtually identical gouges from the same Chinese manufacturer that produces Schaaf’s tools. This is a common strategy in international manufacturing known as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) production—where a single factory produces tools that are then branded and sold under different labels.
One such brand is Nakyma, which recently introduced a wood carving set priced at an astonishing $16. The set includes three gouges—two straight and one bent—with forged blades and a solid bolster. The blades are fitted into octagonal ash handles nearly identical to Pfeil’s. While the grain orientation on one handle was diagonal rather than parallel to the blade—a flaw that Pfeil’s rigorous quality control would have caught—the handle was still well-made and should hold up under regular use.
Other brands using the same OEM production model include IMYMEE, which sells a comprehensive 12-gouge set with a faux leather tool roll and a mallet on Amazon for just $99. The level of value offered at these price points is difficult to ignore, especially for beginners who may be hesitant to invest in premium European tools.
The SWISS MADE (bottom) has a more slender and rounder shape.
Conclusion
For experienced woodworkers, Pfeil’s superior steel and consistent manufacturing standards make them a worthwhile investment. However, Schaaf and its OEM-produced counterparts (like Nakyma and IMYMEE) deliver impressive value and performance for beginners or those looking for a budget-friendly option. The rise of high-quality tools from developing markets has made it possible to access near-professional-grade carving tools without breaking the bank. While you might sacrifice a bit of refinement in the details, these alternatives hold their own in terms of functionality and durability—making them a smart choice for anyone looking to build their toolkit without overspending.
Next time, I will show how I sharpened and honed the gouges.
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