To all you engravers

[barebackjack]

If you could only use one or two different sizes and styles of gravers....what ones would you keep?

Im going to order a couple (3 at the most), and need some input on what styles and sizes to get. I obviously would like something that would fit the styles of engraving done on longrifles and something that would be good for a wide variety of applications.

I have James Meeks book on engraving, great book, but he really doesnt list a "bare essential" i guess you could call it.

Anyway, heres what I was thinking....
#3 square
#4 Point
#2 knife

Thanks for any help.

 

[Mike Brooks]

I use a square 3/32" graver....that's it. I use 3 in total sharpened different ways .I sharpen one in a diamond shape and the other into a wdge shape. I also use another diamond as a push engraver, sharpend a little differently. These three tools alow me to engrave everything I want.
Some examples:
#1
#2
#3 #4
#5
#6
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/0703/Gunmaker/kerasotes%20rifle/?action=view&current=kerasotes4.jpg

 

[wszumera]

What do these tools look like? I need to put some vent lines in a mold and figure they might do the job.

Thanks,

Clutch

 

[Mike Brooks]

>

 

[LRB]

At this point, the best investment you could make would be the tapes by Lynton McKenzie. At least tape #1. You will have a heck of a time trying to learn to use, and especially sharpen the gravers without good instruction. You will need to spend much time drawing also. Learning to draw cleanly is as hard as learning to cut, unless you have a good background in art. I would also suggest that you check this site.[url] www.igraver.com[/url]