Ok! I think I am close to the tipping point for carving tools. They are inexcusably expensive on eBay, and the local action is thin.
What I have been reading so far is to stick with a good maker and accumulate over time. So considering the sale at woodcraft online (there isn't one in Arkansas so we do not pay any sales taxes) what would be a good beginner selection within the Pfeil system. The project at hand is a shell, similar to one shown in the "Carving Techniques and Projects) DVD by Taunton.
I have an older (W. Butcher I think) gouge, 1" wide no idea about the sweep (probably a #9), and a detail carving set.