Very first engraving... - Engraving Forum.com - The Internet's Largest and Fastest Growing Engraving Community

dkemppai · #1 03-12-2009, 10:13 PM

Well,

So, I think I'm doing OK, and then I look at all of your work and I get bummed out! You are a talented bunch of people!

So anyway, here's my first shot at this stuff! Pics ain't much, but here they are!

Story:
I only get 20 to 30 minutes a few times a week to try this stuff out.
Started making the knife about a month ago to practice on

. Sketched the scroll thingy one evening, scanned, transferred, and started engraving. Engraving time of maybe 6 to 8 hours over a couple of weeks???

Overall, I'm happy with it. I'd change a lot of things, but it still looks pretty good to the naked eye. I'm treating it as a practice plate, to get stuck in my kitchen for good!

Anyway, Stats:
Knife: Small kitchen, Made by engraver.
7.75" OAL
3.75" Blade, 154-CPM, Triple tempered... ...bla, bla, bla...
Handle, Black/White Maple veneer, with Leadwood. 18-8 pins
Bolsters, 17-4PH Stainless (A pain to engrave!) Very gummy, hard to machine, work hardens like mad!

Engraving:
Mirror image both sides. Otherwise, What you see is what you get

Thanks for all the help and informative posts! Couldn't have done it without help from places like this!

-Dan

mtgraver · #2 03-13-2009, 07:46 AM

Dan, Looks to me like you've been doing this for quite a while. Looks good, a few minor oops! under high mag. but most people don't enjoy a kitchen knife with a loupe in hand. Your background looks very clean and level. I sure hope you've made a knife block to store instead of tossing in a drawer.
Fine job, keep up the nice work.
Mark
www.MarkThomas-graver.com

ArtisticAttributes · #3 03-13-2009, 03:54 PM

I would say hold your head up high!! There is not much to be ashamed of there, as always continue your efforts and the results will come. The artisan is the most critical of their own work. I can assure you of that. Looks Great!!

KeithPedersen · #4 03-13-2009, 05:36 PM

I wouldnt get bummed out. Great work and you made the knife too.... Cool.
Thanks,
Keith
www.keithpedersen.com

Herman Knives · #5 03-13-2009, 06:07 PM

very nice work for first?? engraving. Cant wait to see the tenth. WOW

carl bleile · #6 03-13-2009, 06:12 PM

Your doing great, I would like to see what you could do with more time.
Carl Bleile
southwest, Ohio

metal man · #7 03-15-2009, 12:38 PM

Doesn't look like a first engraving to me. Did you use numatic tools? Keep up the good work.

dkemppai · #8 03-15-2009, 07:18 PM

Thanks for all the great feedback!

As I said, I couldn't have done it without all of the great information posted here on line. You guys make learning how to do this stuff much easier! I especially found Steve's on line videos very helpful! Others sell videos, but he gives them away! It allows guys like me to sit down and watch an expert make cuts, which is effectively free lessons! (Thanks Steve!) The only thing I've been waiting for him to post is some video showing gold inlay…

As for my tools I do have an pneumatic engraver, engravers vise, and some sharpening tools. Just this week a high-speed rotary air tool. (I'm an admitted tool-a-holic!

) The air grinder made background removal much much faster, and resulted in a nicer job.

The one thing I wanted to mention is that engravers (and knife makers) are the best bunch of people to get to know. Anyone who's learned anything useful seems more than willing to share it with others. Just the friendly down to earth attitudes that you guys have make this endeavor enjoyable.

Thanks!
Dan

jlseymour · #9 03-16-2009, 12:18 PM

Nice job Dan and yes Steve shares so many thing to help us plus his great tools and they keep coming, what's next???...
Jerry

ddushane · #10 03-23-2009, 03:51 PM

Man!!!! I wish my first would've looked as good as yours. Great job, keep up the good work.

Dwayne

JDaveB · #11 04-02-2009, 10:36 AM

MAN ! That looks great to me. OK, I must confess, I am a woodworker who signed on to this website to find out more about engraving...it is fascinating. I am interested in making my own woodworking tools, and embellishing them with some engraving like you did on this knife.

So, could you share with me what tools and equipment you have to produce such a great engraving??

I do not want to spend a lot of money, at least not at this point until I determine if I have any talent for this craft.

And if you other "Masters" out there have any advice to a beginner to get started, using a minimum of investment, I would appreciate it.

Thanks, and again, GREAT FIRST ENGRAVE.

JDAVEB

p.s. I am also interested in Scrimshaw if anyone has any suggestions on getting started, I would appreciate it.

Todd Smith · #12 04-05-2009, 03:09 PM

Excellent job! It doesn't look like you just started out.

bobkeyes · #13 04-05-2009, 03:33 PM

Not to hijack the thread, but I am brand new. Working on sharpening correctly, practicing on plates, and using a hand graver, no air. Steve has already been so nice to me with some PM's of encouragement and his tuts are just superb. Don't know what the future holds, but I hope he is involved in it. Thanks Steve. When I buy a tool it will be from you.

SVD · #14 04-06-2009, 08:25 AM

Get Steve's sharpening system and you'll be getting good gravers in no time.

Well, it takes a bit to shape a graver without power but not that long and after that it's really quick.

SpiderCurt · #15 04-06-2009, 05:43 PM

Hi Bob

SVD Steve is right, the Lindsay sharpening system is great.
You can read all about them on this page: Lindsay Sharpening Sytem