<p>Depending on the level of detail you are trying to achieve, linoleum cutting tools may work well for you. I would highly suggest practicing on some spare cork first however - I have used these tools for linoleum printing and it takes a while to get the hang of things and avoid cutting yourself.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/iOSZs.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/iOSZs.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-04T17:10:45.883Z
I remember doing linoleum at school and indeed, it was not so easy. The point is that if it is already not trivial on a flat surface, it might be very hard on a round surface. Anyway, it seems to be a good direction to explore.
Surb
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-04T15:45:17.280Z
2016-05-04T15:45:17.280Z
Monza
<p>I would lean toward scalples/X-Acto knives.  They a are very sharp, and the blades lend themselves to carving small details well.  They are designed for detailed work unlike kitchen knives which are designed to cut things up.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/of2Yt.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/of2Yt.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>As Camil pointed out in the comments, a <a href="http://www.walmart.com/ip/19-Hobby-Knife-Blade-TE01-193/41739432" rel="noreferrer">heftier blade</a> might be needed to start with the larger roughing cuts so it doesn't snap.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T12:29:58.177Z
@CamilStaps I think both would be good, the heavier blade to rough out the shape and the lighter blade for detail work.
bowlturner
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T12:19:53.913Z
2016-05-03T12:32:09.863Z
2016-05-03T12:32:09.863Z
bowlturner
<p>What are good tools to carve in corks?</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/cjBUZm.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/cjBUZm.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a><br>
Actually, I'm using a simple kitchen knife but I guess there are better choices.</p>

<p>My goal is to carve some chess pieces.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T12:34:49.427Z
I'm assuming you mean cork corks, not the new rubber ones?
bowlturner
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T16:41:19.553Z
@bowlturner So I have mainly cork corks. Anyway I noticed that rubber corks are much easier to carve (they are somewhat softer and breaks less easily).
Surb
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T16:42:22.263Z
@CreationEdge Wood burning sounds interesting but I'm not sure what it is. Could you tell me more about it?
Surb
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-04T17:08:54.043Z
@CreationEdge Nice, I was not aware of that. This might be very useful to emphasize differences between black and white pieces.
Surb
<tool-selection><carving>
What are good tools for carving in cork?
Surb
# What are good tools for carving in cork?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-05-03)

What are good tools to carve in corks?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/cjBUZm.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/cjBUZm.jpg)  
Actually, I'm using a simple kitchen knife but I guess there are better choices.

My goal is to carve some chess pieces.

**Tags:** tool-selection, carving

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I'm assuming you mean cork corks, not the new rubber ones?  
> **username_0**: @username_1 So I have mainly cork corks. Anyway I noticed that rubber corks are much easier to carve (they are somewhat softer and breaks less easily).  
> **username_0**: @CreationEdge Wood burning sounds interesting but I'm not sure what it is. Could you tell me more about it?  
> **username_0**: @CreationEdge Nice, I was not aware of that. This might be very useful to emphasize differences between black and white pieces.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-05-03. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

I would lean toward scalples/X-Acto knives. They a are very sharp, and the blades lend themselves to carving small details well. They are designed for detailed work unlike kitchen knives which are designed to cut things up.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/of2Yt.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/of2Yt.jpg)

As Camil pointed out in the comments, a [heftier blade](http://www.walmart.com/ip/19-Hobby-Knife-Blade-TE01-193/41739432) might be needed to start with the larger roughing cuts so it doesn't snap.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: @CamilStaps I think both would be good, the heavier blade to rough out the shape and the lighter blade for detail work.  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-05-04. Score: 3

Depending on the level of detail you are trying to achieve, linoleum cutting tools may work well for you. I would highly suggest practicing on some spare cork first however - I have used these tools for linoleum printing and it takes a while to get the hang of things and avoid cutting yourself.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/iOSZs.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/iOSZs.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I remember doing linoleum at school and indeed, it was not so easy. The point is that if it is already not trivial on a flat surface, it might be very hard on a round surface. Anyway, it seems to be a good direction to explore.  

---

