I started with flexcut interchangeable sets. I personally have the 11 pc. and deluxe set . Note that the image on amazon for the deluxe set is wrong, it looks like this. I still use them everyday alongside my more expensive tools and a benefit of the interchangeable blades is you can get an adapter in the future and use it with a powered reciprocating carver. Note also that these sets dont overlap, so if you got both the 11 piece and the deluxe you wont have duplicate chisels. It's a good way to initially round out a wide range of gouges and v tools and then later on you can start buying the more expensive chisels a little at a time. Good brands are Pfeil, Ashley Iles, Two Cherries, Henry Taylor, Auriou, Dastra, Addis (Antique, can find them on Ebay) and there are others that I cant think of atm.
You'll also need a sharpening stone and oil, and a strop. I personally use a soft arkansas stone and the norton oil, I also have a set of soft arkansas slip stones for honing the inside edge of gouges and v tools. And this is the main strop I use. And stropping compound, you can use flexcut gold or some green compound.
Iv'e also heard good things of ramelson tools, but personally have not used them, so maybe someone else can vouch for them.
That's not expensive at all. Sorry but come on man. You're considering the linoleum cutter? Buy one good knife and treat it well and look after it and it will far outlive its price tag and you won't become discouraged by poor results from crap tools. You should spend from $20 to $40 on a good starter knife IMO.
Here is one a couple of bucks cheaper, and generally considered the entry level go to knife. Flexcut are decent, good steel, the handles are comfortable and people tend to like them but then move on to fancier knives with shapes / sizes that fit the work they do.
You can't just buy the knife either, unless you only want to carve one time, you'll also need honing compound and a strip of leather to glue to a flat board to strop your knife with every 20 minutes or so of carving. Here it is on amazon
