Reddit mentions of 6pc Hinomaru Tombo Japanese Wood Carving Tools Knife Set

It depends on what kind of carving you're trying to do. Chip carving? Turning? Relief? In-the-Round? Large pieces? Small pieces?

I learned a Japanese style of woodcarving while I was living over there and I used a set like this while I was getting started. Here's a link to something similar on American Amazon. I since upgraded to professional-grade tools, but I actually still use my intro set on a semi-regular basis when doing relief and in-the-round.

My carving style primarily uses yew, but the techniques also translate well to softer woods like pine, cedar, alder, spruce, cypress, and basswood. These are all softwoods and I work in very small sizes, so I don't need chisels or a mallet, but I need small, sharp knives/gouges in order to cut cleanly and smoothly.

If you're hand carving, you're going to want to start with basswood. It's soft and easy to cut, but it doesn't chip as badly as other softwoods like pine or cedar. As you get better you can move up to harder woods like satinwood and yew which will hold detail much better, but will also be harder on your tools and require finer technique.

Last tip, don't bite off more than you can chew with your first couple projects. My teacher got me started working a basic border pattern to teach cutting technique before I tried doing anything in 3D. Remember to keep it simple, low detail, as few appendages as possible. Owls are usually a good place to start, though smooth rounded edges like that can be tough as a beginner. Also, drawing is 3/4 of a successful project. Draw it and redraw it as you cut and you'll be in a good place.

P.s. - A link to my carving page