Engraving by hand
- Thread starter DShortt
- Start date
shortgrass
Silver $$ Contributor
It'll take more than reading a few books to do a good job of it. For hands on work , like engraving, a good instructor is invaluable. There are several different styles, not including 'prison engraving'. https://www.engravingclasses.com/Montgomery Community College.htm The English have their own style, as do the Italians. And then, there's "Western Scroll". There are bound to be more 'in person' instructional resources than what I posted above. https://www.claytargetnation-digita...w=articleBrowser&article_id=4232706&ver=html5 Might visit the firearms engraver guild site, also www.fega.com
shortgrass
Silver $$ Contributor
You might 'apprentice' for 5yrs or more and still be lacking. I'd say, it takes a certain ' knack', and artistic ability.
my son is a hand engraver, member of FEGA, has studied print making at bachelors level and engraving in fine arts program at Emporia State in kansas. that program is supported by the folks from GRS. There is also a yearly summer program at Vermilion SoDak called 'frogman' which focuses on print making (which happens to be a natural launch point into hand engraving)... it is fascinating, and the level of detail of phenomenal.
GRS is the de facto supplier of tools for a huge percentage of engravers. contact them, or FEGA, to see if there is someone active in your locale perhaps. watch out for the rabbit hole,
BobT
Gold $$ Contributor
This gentleman is a first rate engraver and also teaches classes,
https://learningtoengrave.com/
https://learningtoengrave.com/
DShortt
Gold $$ Contributor
I could *probably* manage the knife making part though it would likely involve a couple of attempts. The engraving part I've no idea about where to begin.
When I was trying to learn; engravers recommended " Art of Engraving" by R. Meek.
I tried hand cutting first; was helped by a fine gentleman; John Barraclaugh. It was hopeless.
Ended up using a Lindsay system; am still barely above hopeless ten years later. Mechanics I am not too bad at; angles, cutting, sharpening, etc.
Beyond help at the most important part: artistic skills. Drawing, layout and composition.
I know some pretty fair engravers; they buy me whisky so I wont show them my work.
moondog
Gold $$ Contributor
I think this is the program that was created 20 years ago with craftsman from Europe?
I vaguely remember, for selfish reasons, trying to get my daughter to go, talented artist. I can't draw a stick figure.
Bulino engraving amazes me, Rose and scroll and others makes my heart beat fast. To me, it's an amazing art.
GRS is a great place to start if you have the ability and the time to travel to Kansas. They hold classes for every level from complete beginner to grand master, also different styles such as american scroll and western bright cut. Not many engravers want or need an apprentice, but some will teach one on one or in small groups, look up Sam Alfano and Ray Cover for example.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
Look into "Hobo Nickel" tutorials first. You'll find a lot of the basics there. Basic graver shaping and sharpening, techniques, etc. Plus, your material only costs you a nickel if you mess up!
The maker Michael Parsons, a very quiet humble man, said to me one day,” If I can draw it, I can engrave it in steel, and I can draw nearly anything.”
And that was the absolute truth. I had him do a few pieces for me and I just marveled at the workmanship and unfortunately never asked him how long it took. It is just so far beyond what I can comprehend. And for him this was an enjoyable pastime.
I know and have known several people who were self taught. Everything from building boats, to playing guitars, to fixing watches. They were not just good, they were some of the best I have seen. I think if someone has the talent they can go a long way if they learn a few of the skills involved. I think too much schooling can sometimes hinder creativity. Good luck with your endeavors.
This. I know not nothing of engraving as I have a BFA in Printmaking. There are three basic types of printing (relief, intaglio, and planography) and one of them is all about getting marks into metal plates (I specialized in etching... still have several gallons of nitric acid in the basement). Copper is traditional, zinc alloys are common now for cost, and steel is used enough we learn it, as it's best for high volume production.
Not every school teaches this, but if a local one of yours does, often enough they offer the ability to audit courses (not otherwise a student: pay, take it, get no credit) or so on.
It may be worth doing the whole thing (vs trying to focus on engraving only), as a start, as understanding principles is good, and the other methods of marking metal can be useful also. Not only can you sometimes use etching (with acid) to make marks on firearms, but it makes you more aware what some of the more mechanical processes (laser engravers, stencil etching) are doing, so you can service those who want such work done as well, and talk better about the pros and cons of them, carry them out better as well.
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