Engraving

[eagle24]

I'm interested in some simple engraving, maybe just initials on the top barrel flat.  Would a round graver or square graver be the way to go for just simple letters?

[J. Talbert]

A typical square graver is what you want for basic, beginning engraving, including lettering.
If a person was satisfied to only engrave at the level of many original longrifles, he COULD engrave the rest of his life with only that graver, and still do some very impressive work.

Jeff

[LRB]

  What Jeff said!

[Dphariss]

A typical square graver is what you want for basic, beginning engraving, including lettering.
If a person was satisfied to only engrave at the level of many original longrifles, he COULD engrave the rest of his life with only that graver, and still do some very impressive work.

Jeff

In Lynton McKenzie's videos he states that with a square graver and a couple of flats he could reproduce any English firearms engraving IIRC . He pretty well dispels a the need for a lot of different gravers and complex equipment to sharpen them.
People interested learning engraving really should buy or rent all three.

I have a friend who used the square almost exclusively and did some pretty fair work.


Picture loses a lot on this lock.

Dan

[eagle24]

Thanks!  For engraving initials on the barrel which size square graver should I use?  I see TOW has sizes 1-5 with 1 being the smallest I think.

[J. Talbert]

TOW doesn't seem to indicate the dimensions or what type of handle their square gravers have.  I like 3/32" graver blanks because I sharpen them with the Lindsay sharpening jigs.
Regardless of the shank size, the business end is the same.  It's just a matter of how much metal you remove near the point to allow to you to see what your working on.  That is until you get to a very fine point for shading, which would be too small for wider cuts.

Jeff

[Dphariss]

Thanks!  For engraving initials on the barrel which size square graver should I use?  I see TOW has sizes 1-5 with 1 being the smallest I think.

3/32 square.
I would order from Brownell's. The long cobalt gravers then install handles. Get a light chasing hammer.
Then get the McKenzie videos, you can rent them from smartflix.com.
Dan

[California Kid]

dpharris, I agree the Mckenzie videos are great.
Brownells doesn't sell those 4" square graver blanks any more. Grs doesn't sell the long ones either, only 2
2 1/2" from GRS. I buy 1/8" lathe bits, HSS or Momax cobalt from MSC or ENCO and fit them in 3/8" aluminum handles with a set screw. Much cheaper.

[Doug Cline]

Another source for gravers and chasing hammers is Mike Lea, I know some of the people who have taken the class at Bowling Green a couple years ago used his gravers and were pleased with them.