AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: bama on September 13, 2025, 06:52:54 PM

Title: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: bama on September 13, 2025, 06:52:54 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/BYGzHjT/patch-box.jpg) (https://ibb.co/MJf2ypP)

Hi everyone

There have been a lot of questions about how to get started engraving. I started in 2007 with Meeks book but I did not get very good results. I next took NMLRA classes with Mark Silver and Wallace Gusler and these were great but I still was struggling. It wasn't untill I took a GRS class that I really started to understand graver point geometry and how to properly sharpen a graver to make a specific cut that my engraving started to improve. It's been a long struggle to get to this point.

This is the patch box on a rifle that I am building for my brother. I feel it is my best work to date. Now, I know I am still not a master engraver but I think I an sneaking up on being an OK engraver. My point is, if you don't start you never will, if you do start, stay with it. The important thing is to get started.

This was cut with a Lindsey Palm Graver with a 116 degree parallel heel graver and a No. 40 flat graver.

Jim
Title: Re: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: beerd on September 13, 2025, 07:06:56 PM
Oh my goodness.
Took a while for the picture to load, but then WOW!
VERY nice!
..
Title: Re: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: recurve on September 13, 2025, 08:02:49 PM
WOW ;D
Title: Re: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: smoke and flames on September 13, 2025, 08:45:02 PM
Jim  I am a Master Engraver (FEGA) and taught at GRS.  Your engraving and layout/design is top notch. Well done
Title: Re: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: Martin S. on September 13, 2025, 10:07:10 PM
That's a beautiful patchbox.

I found the website for GRS classes.

Which one did you take?

Title: Re: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: Daryl on September 13, 2025, 11:12:24 PM
Pretty SWEET, Jim.
Title: Re: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: bama on September 13, 2025, 11:19:56 PM
Martin, I have taken the beginning engraving class and the intermdiate class. I hope someday to get to the point that I can take the master class.

Jim
Title: Re: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: Martin S. on September 13, 2025, 11:36:18 PM
Quote from: bama on September 13, 2025, 11:19:56 PM
Martin, I have taken the beginning engraving class and the intermdiate class. I hope someday to get to the point that I can take the master class.

Jim

Thank you!  I think you are ready for the master class!
Title: Re: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: Bill Raby on September 13, 2025, 11:47:16 PM
Hardest part of engraving is just making that first cut. From there it all comes down to practice. Lots of it. Learning the engraving designs and drawing is probably even more important than learning how to cut it into metal. Spend at least as much time with a pencil as you do with a graver.
Title: Re: Hawken Patch Box
Post by: L T Grey on September 16, 2025, 05:52:33 PM
Wow!