A variety of chisels can come in handy when carving. Walter S. Arnold, a sculptor and stone carver in Chicago, uses hand-forged chisels as well as toothed and rounded chisels. Other tools to have on hand may include a mallet made out of wood and stone rasps. Limestone carvers also recommend using certain safety equipment such as goggles, dust masks, gloves and something to protect the ears.
Sandbags provide support to the piece of limestone when carving. Without support, a heavy piece of limestone could easily fall or move while carving, leaving an imperfection or break that cannot be corrected. Sandbags also absorb any vibrations caused by the act of carving. If sandbags are not available, use a shallow frame that is filled with sand.
Before carving the limestone, rough it out to remove a majority of it, leaving only the amount you plan to work with when carving. You may need a heavy chisel or power tools to accomplish this. However, only take out small slices at a time. Removing big chunks may damage the remaining portion of the limestone.
Crosshatch patterns, when carving, provide easy access points for a chisel or other tool. For example, when using a point chisel, a sculptor should make lines parallel to one another at least an inch apart. Make a second set of lines that form a perpendicular pattern to the first set. These lines then form squares that are easy to chisel away.