Jim McCulloch wrote: > Let me recommend a low-tech skill that is not as hard as you > might believe > to acquire an acceptable ability at, which is carving > directly on brass with > (non-power) hand engraving tools, which, I believe, can still > be bought from > a few art supply or jewelry making supply sources.
Yes, gravers are still available from jeweller's and watchmaker's suppliers. However they do not come sharpened in the way you will need them to use them. As far as I know there is just one book on hand engraving on metal that is usually quoted, and it's still available - these details are from Amazon: Engraving on Precious Metals A. Brittain Hardcover (first published December 1953) N.A.G. Press; ISBN: 0719800226 It is a good book (actually by three specialist authors), but it's certainly a skill that takes some practice. Many years ago apprentice engravers didn't even touch metal for the first couple of years, they just had to learn the drawing aspects with a pencil! However it's worth having a go and I found I could do something acceptable on a small scale after not too long. It's also helpful if you can find someone skilled to show you the angles of the graver and how they work. Andrew James
