Hawken Patch Box

[bama]

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

[beerd]

Oh my goodness.
Took a while for the picture to load, but then WOW!
VERY nice!
..

[recurve]

WOW

[smoke and flames]

Jim  I am a Master Engraver (FEGA) and taught at GRS.  Your engraving and layout/design is top notch. Well done

[Martin S.]

That's a beautiful patchbox.

I found the website for GRS classes.

Which one did you take?

[Daryl]

Pretty SWEET, Jim.

[bama]

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

[Martin S.]

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!

[Bill Raby]

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.

[L T Grey]

Wow!