My engraving is atrocious!

[draken]

Am building a rifle for a relative and looking ahead I would really like to give it a little "bling" in the way of some patchbox engraving.   Try as I may, however. I simply cannot engrave.    

Is there anywhere that does custom engraving on something like a patchbox?

[P.Bigham]

Contact Chuck Edwards 573-568-2075  wipingstick@msn.com

[flehto]

Tim Adlam of Oshkosh, WI is a gifted artist and has done all my engraving, Shown below is his engraving on one of my Pboxes...Tel...920.235.4589...Fred

[J. Talbert]

If it's not already too late, it's advisable to develop the patchbox and the engraving design simultaneously,
for best result.
Just sayin.
Jeff

[flehto]

You're correct....otherwise the Pbox outline and engraving don't meld. Although I don't do the engraving, I do draw the engraving on the layout before cutting so there is continuity......Fred

[P.W.Berkuta]

Am building a rifle for a relative and looking ahead I would really like to give it a little "bling" in the way of some patchbox engraving.   Try as I may, however. I simply cannot engrave.    

Is there anywhere that does custom engraving on something like a patchbox?

I used Smitty's Engraving the last two times and the engraving was what I wanted also it was under $130 for patchbox. sideplate, & toe plate. Nothing special & not overly done - I was satisfied with the work & price.

[Chris Treichel]

I would suggest taking classes. Engraving is really not one of those teach yourself things. So many things to get right.

Angle of the faces of the graver need to be just right, graver too long=bounce, hammer technique, hammer to heavy it digs in, angle of the tool to surface... etc

[oldtravler61]

Looking at both patch boxes. Both very well done. How is the shading done as on the first one. If I may ask?

[Chris Treichel]

shading on that one is probably from very small light lines.

[flehto]

The "shading" color is a rubbed out 44/40 cold blue application. #0000 steel wool is used. Tim also "shaded" some areas w/  very fine engraving. The 2 different "shadings" do produce a  nice effect....Fred

[draken]

Thanks everyone for your input.  It's good to have several different recommendations.

I would suggest taking classes. Engraving is really not one of those teach yourself things. So many things to get right.

Angle of the faces of the graver need to be just right, graver too long=bounce, hammer technique, hammer to heavy it digs in, angle of the tool to surface... etc

I agree, Chris.  Should engraving classes ever become available in my bailiwick
I will definitely sign up!

[Pete G.]

I would suggest taking classes. Engraving is really not one of those teach yourself things. So many things to get right.

Angle of the faces of the graver need to be just right, graver too long=bounce, hammer technique, hammer to heavy it digs in, angle of the tool to surface... etc

In the meantime get John Schipper's book.

[bama]

This is a rifle that I built last year. The box is hand made and engraved by me. I started trying to learn engraving on my own but after 2 years and a lot of ruined brass I decided to take some classes. I took classes from Wallace Gusler and Mark Silver at the NMLRA WKU classes and they were great but the best classes I took were from GRS in Emproium Kansas. I have been engraving since 2007 and I enjoy it almost as much as rifle building. I hope that if you want to engrave that you will invest in some classes, it will save you a lot of time and aggravation.

[P.W.Berkuta]

Nice work Bama. I was scheduled to go to a engraving school here in Stockton, CA a while back but they closed the school - never did get to sign up for another school.

[oldtravler61]

Also thank you for the info on shading. I admire all those who can engrave so well.

[1836 Blacksmith]

You might check out John Schipper's engraving class at Conner Prairie

Here is a link:

http://www.connerprairie.org/Things-To-Do/Events/Arts-and-Arms-Making-Workshops

[Curt Lyles]

  Chuck Edwards or Jerry Rice are both 2 that I have dealt with and they are execellent.Curt

[jerrywh]

 I bought Shipper's book just to see if it was any good. It is very good. I recommend it for anybody doing antique guns. Much of the designs are English style but we were English colonies. 

[Acer Saccharum]

Bama, that is a very nice job on the patchbox. It's genuine 'Kentucky engraving', which means it's spot on for the gun and the time period (in my opinion, ok?). Good job.

[Boompa]

   ::)My engraving is very amateurish looking as well.  Wish I knew someone close by that could show me the ropes.

[Acer Saccharum]

I'm going to be demonstrating simple engraving sharpening and hammer techniques at Dixon's Fair this year. I'll bring my engraving ropes and show them to you.

[RFindley]

Am building a rifle for a relative and looking ahead I would really like to give it a little "bling" in the way of some patchbox engraving.   Try as I may, however. I simply cannot engrave.    

Is there anywhere that does custom engraving on something like a patchbox?

I used Smitty's Engraving the last two times and the engraving was what I wanted also it was under $130 for patchbox. sideplate, & toe plate. Nothing special & not overly done - I was satisfied with the work & price.

P.W.Berkuta:   Do you have any contact information for Smitty's Engraving.  I have some simple designs for a trigger guard and butt plate but I know I don't have the skills necessary to do it myself.  Thanks

[Roger B]

Smitty does machine or rotary engraving and does a very nice job.  I've had him do a lot of stuff for me over the years and the results and prices are good.

Smitty's Engraving
21320 Pioneer Circle
Harrah, OK 73045
Telephone: (405) 454-6968

Roger B.