>I'm looking for suggestions for wood carving hand tools for somebody
>just getting started. I've poked around online and the price ranges
>vary greatly. I'd like to give carving a serious shot, but I'm not
>sure I'm ready to dump $200-$300 on gouges. I'm looking for something
>mid-range, and some suggestions on what sort of sizes I should be
>picking up.
>
>
>Thanks in advance - d

I'd recommend a couple of knives similar to the ones shown here to start with:

http://www.traditionalwoodworker.com/product_info.php/cPath/1_7_354/products_id/2149

and maybe a set of palm chisels soon thereafter such as the standard set for $32.00 shown about half way down on the left on this page:

http://www.qualitycarvingsupplies.com/store/page10.html

Once you have gotten your feet wet, you can decide which direction you want to move in and start buying full size gouges or smaller sets of chisels. I've bought a few individual gouges and they do pretty much all I need.

I've been carving small figures (4-10" high) and some relief carving off and on for about 20 years and I've made my own knives similar to the ones noted above. Those knives and the palm chisels are my most use carving tools (along with a band saw).

HTH and Good Luck Bill