depth of incised craving

[yip]

   starting to do so incised craving and wondering the ideal depth of incised craving.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I don't know about ideal depth, but here is an example of incised carving on a A. Verner rifle I did in 2011, using both 60 degree and 45 degree parting tools from Brownells.  I doubt that the average depth of this carving is more than about 1/32" (.0325").

[yip]

  Taylor; beatiful craving! was it tapped or hand pushed?

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

These little chisels have a teardrop shaped handle and a short curved blade. They are hand-push chisels.  There's a trick to hand pushing...if you've ever done any had push engraving, you'll know what I mean.  It involves using one hand (your strong, coordinated one) to hold and grip the chisel, and the other rests on the word and acts as a stop so you can't make run-outs.  The chisel is inched along using just the muscles of your strong hand, squeezing the chisel forward with great control.  I've never tried driving a parting tool with a hammer to do this sort of carving, though I use a chasing hammer and a long graver for engraving...strange analogy.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Obviously, only one hand is in these images, 'cause the other one is taking the pictures.  Watching grain flow/direction is very important, but when these little chisels are sharp, they cut easily with, into and across the grain.

[Tim Crosby]

 Beautiful even curl, Great control.

    Tim

[Mike Brooks]

I use the same tools as Taylor, but I find I have more control chasing with a small hammer. All depends on what you're comfortable with.

[Scota4570]

I have used a pneumatic engraver to push tools in wood.  It seems to have promise. 

[Lucky R A]

         I have built a fair number of Bucks Co. rifles with incised carving.  I like Mike use a small light hammer just like I do for engraving.   I think my carving depth may be a bit deeper than what Taylor did on the Verner copy.  I own a unsigned Bucks Co. rifle and the incise carving is almost an imperceptible line in the wood.  I am sure it was a bit deeper when new, but today not so much.  I examined the original Verner that Taylor copied  and again with aging etc. the carving is more like lines in the wood.  It is all too easy to go too deep with incise carving in this school of gun.   Ron

[Jim Spray]

I don't know about ideal depth, but here is an example of incised carving on a A. Verner rifle I did in 2011, using both 60 degree and 45 degree parting tools from Brownells.  I doubt that the average depth of this carving is more than about 1/32" (.0325").

Beautiful work Taylor.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Thank you Jim.  I've built this rifle three times now, and I think I'm at a point where I don't need to do it again.  It's a nice addition to my stable.

[Daryl]

I used to own that rifle, but got talked out of it.

[Craig Wilcox]

Daryl, it wouldn't have anything to do with older brother Taylor bopping you on the head, would it?

Beautiful example of incised carving, Taylor.  Now - did the finish make the grooves darker, or did you take a different means of making the shallow cuts a different color?

[Jim Spray]

I used to own that rifle, but got talked out of it.

I'm sorry! Don't think I could let that one go.

[elkhorne]

Taylor,
Beautiful job on the rifle but also on the incised carving. Looked up on Brownells but could not find the “parting tools”. Do you by chance know if they still sell them or another thing that has faded from the lineup? Just curious.
elkhorne