off to an engraving class

NickWheeler

NickWheeler

Joined
Dec 3, 1999
Messages
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I don't want to take up uneccessary bandwidth... but I get a lot of email from BF members.

Just in case you all think I've fallen off the face of the earth, I'll be in Montana for the next week taking an engraving class taught by Rick Eaton.

Thanks Guys!
-Nick-

http://www.wheelerknives.com
 
Have a good time, buddy! Nothing like Montana in February :D

BTW, feel free to use my fighter for a little practice ;)
 
Fantastic .... now what can I dream up to put those skills to the test in the future :p

Stephen
 
You will be learning from one of the very best.

s1_closed(handle2).jpg
 
Have a great tiem NIck, pick Rick's brain for all it's worth. I promise you won't scratch the surface in a week, but do know you will learn more than you can remember.

And just so you know, I will be watching your engraving progress, and if it gets too good, plan on ME braking YOUR fingers ;)
 
Sorry if I was false advertising, I'm leaving tomorrow.

I was just so excited I posted it this morning.

Bailey, not to blow sunshine up your shorts, but you are one of the bladesmiths that has inspired me to persue this. I used to look at engraving and not care for it.

It often looked like an afterthought... a really nice knife, and then really nice engraving, but not a good meld of the two.

The work of Bailey, Buster Warenski (yes, not just his wife can engrave), Ron Newton, Tim Herman, Steve Dunn... these guys make stuff that all flows together and compliments the knife. THAT'S what I want to end up doing.

Bailey, do you mean to tell me I won't be as good as you after a week class?!?!?! Man, maybe I should get my money back!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! :p :p :p

Thanks for the support guys! :)
-Nick-
 
Hey Nick,

I hope my package is in the mail, before you get lost Montana! ;)

Best,
Peter
 
Nick,

Bailey is a very good engraver. At a few opportunities to chat about engraving with those that know, the general consensus is that with regular practice, it takes about 7 years to become proficient.

It is about 5 years for a tattoo artist to become proficient before they develop a "style" that is noteworthy, unless they are naturally gifted, which you may be.

The good part is that once becoming credible at these crafts, it stays with you, and minimal practice will allow you to maintain the ability.

I figure for engraving it is the "feel" for what you are doing, the design layout, and the comfortability with a medium and technique requiring fairly expensive and finicky equipment that takes the time to develop proficiency in is the roadblock to overcome. Good luck. No need to engrave the bolsters on my fighter, as you pointed out on the Osborne, it's pretty damn fine just as it is :D .

Best Regards,

Steven Garsson
 
Nick,

I appreciate the sunshine, and if I need it anywhere it is in my shorts. That doesn't change the fact that you must limit the quality of your engraving if you want to keep the dexterous integrity of your digits!!

Seriously, if you can draw, you can learn to engrave. 80% of good engraving is in the layout of the artwork. Learning to cut is another technical skill to learn. Art intuition is born, not made. At least not on a world class level like your instructor has. Steve is about right with the 7 year learning curve. But that doesn't mean you can't do it in 4 or 5 years. You can put out good, quality engraving after a few months, but it won't be intertwined arabeque scrolls with gold inlays all over the place. You can't expect Rome in a day :p
 
If Jerry Fisk can scratch a bolster and it doesn't sell for less, so can you. ;)

Raise the bar!

Coop
 
Nick, my friend, a couple of years ago I told the members of several Knife forums to keep an eye on you as an up and coming maker of exquisite knives. Obviously my observation was correct as your work is outstanding. Now that you are now delving into engraving as an embellishment to your already artistic talents, I must repeat, "Keep your eyes on this young man and his past, present and future achievements in his chosen field!" ---Sandy---
 
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