line or shading gravers

[Jim Filipski]

I have a mix of bought & self made hand engravers which serve my need for most of what I do but have a question on
line / shading engravers. I have a few "fine knife" single line gravers I made to do my shading with ( takes a lot of cuts to shade) but has anyone had much luck making multiple line shaders?  If I were to purchase one what would be a good # of lines vs. ease of cut? I also see that most for sale are the small push size.
Jim

[northmn]

I have the same interest and question.

DP

[Jim Chambers]

Unless my memory is failing, I don't think those were used in the 18th century.  All the engraving from that period that I've looked at was cut with a single graver.  Liners did come into use in the 19th century.  Can't give any recommendation as to which one(s) to use......guess it would depend upon what is being engraved and what style of engraving.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I agree with Jim.  On most 18th century stuff I've seen the shading lines are not parallel but converge. 
And yes, it takes a lot of cuts.  I confess to having used shader gravers...I have a coarse one and a fine one but the coarse one gets all the use.  Mine are meant for push graving, but I chase mine with a light hammer.

[t.caster]

I think Jim's right, they were used later. I have used them, mine is a very fine one, and works best pushed. Chasing it seems to make it look jerky, but that's maybe my technique to blame. I don't use liners anymore, but of course most my builds are pre-1790s period.

Say, where's JerryH?

[Jim Filipski]

I agree with Jim.  On most 18th century stuff I've seen the shading lines are not parallel but converge. 

I almost forgot about that... I guess I would be loosing that ability!


 I'm not certain that a multi line tool wasn't in use in the 18th c for border work , However. After looking at a lot of old dual line borders I'm sure much of it was done with a twin tip tool.  I made one a few weeks ago and it actually worked ( took a flat graver tip and slit it up the middle with a dremel cutoff wheel  then honed the inside of the slit with ceramic stones. I got it to cut ok but was too wide. Need a way of making a smaller slit in the tip
Jim

[T*O*F]

On most 18th century stuff I've seen the shading lines are not parallel but converge.

They are designed for push engraving because you can't grind a heel on them.  An accomplished hand engraver can make curved converging lines with them by starting on the edge and gradually dropping and rolling the graver, but you need extreme control to do so.

They are good for removing background on relief engraving as you can remove lines of metal and then go back and clean it up with a die sinker chisel.  Similar to the way you cut grooves with a hacksaw when cutting dovetails.

Meek or someone recommended an 18/10 straight if you are only going to buy one.  I found it to be too wide for my purposes.

These'll make you sick