Wood carving gouges are "U" shaped tools used to cut furrows in wood.  Both the width and the depth (sweep) of the gouge's cutting edge are important factors to consider when choosing the right gouge for you.  The widths of our wood carving gouges' cutting edges range from 1/8" to 1".  The most popular depths of those cutting edges are shallow and mid-range and are identified by number - 3 and 7.  The higher the number, the deeper the sweep. For example, a gouge no. 7 - 1/8" has a deeper sweep than a gouge no. 3 - 1/8", yet the widths of their respective cutting edges are the same - 1/8".