Engraved Folders

[SlyOne]

I want to make a historical folder that had pretty simple engraving, just some straight lines. I also don't have a milling machine to make the nail nick so I am wondering if I could also engrave a nail nick. All help appreciated.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A nail nick can be cut with burrs in a rotary hand piece or using a drill press and the slide vise. It could be done with a burin ( engravers chisel), but that would be the hard way.

Engraving takes practice...lots of it. The tools and equipment can range from very expensive to moderately cheap. You can make simple gravers from O-1, W2, and 1095.
The real skill is in learning to cut the metal with control and not destroy the graver tip.