Native North Americans invented the bent knife, according to Wood Carving website. These knives are double edged and have a curved tip, which allows hollowing, planning and other actions while carving. Unlike other knives, this tool is often sharp in both edges, allowing the carver to cut in several directions without the need of moving the wood, says David Western in "Fine Art of Carving Lovespoons: Understanding, Designing, and Carving."
V-tools have a V-shaped cutting edge and are used for decorative cuts and particularly for carving hair or fur, reports Wood Carving website. The V-tool is a very useful tool but has a reputation for being difficult to use and sharpen, says Chris Pye in "Wood Carving: Projects and Techniques." V-tools differ in the angles of the cutting edge. The most acute angle is the 45 degree, which gives a deeper cut, while the wider angle is 90 degrees, for shallow cuts, says Pye. The use of a 60-degree V-tool is recommended for beginners
Chisels are tools with cutting edges on the end. A number 1 chisel is flat and indicated for flat or straight cuts, says Everett Ellenwood in "The Complete Book of Woodcarving." A number 2 chisel is a flat skewed tool, useful to get into tight areas while carving. Alternatively, wood carvers can use a fishtail shaped chisel, which is considered the ideal tool for carving in very tight corners.