Engraving resources...

stickfigureforge

stickfigureforge

Joined
Oct 29, 2010
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Can anyone point me in the direction of a good printed source for learning how to engrave? A friend of mine is Really wanting to learn, but can't swing a private lesson or big class like GRS puts on all the time. She's already an amazing artist, and also good at design layouts and creation because of her present job. It's just a new medium for her, and something she could reference on the fly while she's working would be great. I know I'm not going to find anything with sole regard to engraving technique and instruction, but something with a lot of that in it would be awesome.

And also, if any of the mods know a better place for this to be so it'll get answered and noticed, feel free to move it. Need all the help I can get.

Thanks in advance.
 
"Art of the Engraver" by James B. Meek is a wonderful resource.
With modern equipment, an accomplished artist can be a proficient engraver in 3 months.
Contact me at mickeybeep@aol com and I can help further.
 
That is a great book. Also, GRS has some good DVDs about engraving. With the modern equipment today, engraving isn't as difficult as it once was, but the cost is higher. It takes mainly practice, practice, practice to learn engraving.

The GRS classes are really good from what I hear.

There is a DVD series course study called "The Art of Hand Engraving". It isn't cheap, about $250 for the full set, but it is very extensive. There is a three disc beginners set and nine advanced discs ( three sets of three, IIRC) Check eBay for it.
 
1. Engraving classes are a must. I wasted a collossal amount of money trying to learn myself. By taking a class not only will you learn more in that period then you would years studying out of a book , but you will also learn what you need to buy if you want to engrave. I was given this advice early on and ignored it because im stubborn. But its extremely important advice. Take. A. Class.

2. Engraving is expensive , very expensive.

3. Engraving is frustrating , very frustrating. IMO the hardest single art to learn. Its unforgiving in many respects. But the payoff can be great.

4. There is a great book called "engraving historic firearms" by john schippers. Its the best book to learn engraving (on any medium not just firearms) in my honest opinion. The older book by james meek is outdated and confusing.
 
Engraving is as expensive as you want to make it. A couple of gravers and a hammer cost very little. That's all you really need.
Like any endeavour, buying equipment makes things easier. Classes are great, but videos are almost as good. I have not read any books after Meeks' book-there may very well be better ones.
New powered engraving equipment can be had for under $500. Engraving blocks start at around $175 (new). Shopping for used equipment on Ebay can produce excellent deals on equipment.
Powered engraving makes tool control very easy. Artwork and layout is where the real talent comes in.
 
Thanks for all of the advice and direction. I'll be checking out those books to see which would be the most helpful.

A class, or series of them would be great, but she can't just take off and spend the money and time on something she's just getting into. She's still testing the waters to even see if she likes it, so they are a no go (for now, anyway). And as stated, she's a very accomplished artist in many mediums, so I really don't think it's going to be as drastic a learning curve or adjustment as we mere mortals would think.

And everything is frustrating and unforgiving the first time. Then you get used to it, or quit; and I doubt the latter.
 
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