Where can I get started?

[Dylanj08]

Hello everybody, I'm very eager to learn this amazing art. When I was in middle school I always loved drawing fine line designs. This past december I discovered leather carving and have fallen in love with it. I have always admired engravings I had seen in metal on antique guns and blades and would love to learn this art. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if there are any shops that sell tools, or local engravers in Southern California. Specifically Ventura County or North San Diego County. Thanks in advance!

-Dylan J

[SEngraver]

Welcome to the Engraving Forum Daylan.

You can purchase engraving tools from this link below if you have a paypal account;

http://www.airgraver.com/Hand_Engrav...s_Overview.htm


Visit this link for some more info on engraving ;
http://www.engravingschool.com/

Engraving Classes;
http://www.engravingclasses.com/

I am unable to enlighten you on where someone is in you area,I apologise for that.
As your post is read by members someone will guide you hopefully.

All the best

SE

[allarddesign]

Hey dylan, you also can do a search on the net for jewelery suppliers almost all of them have sections for engraving tools. You may even have some brick and motar store suppliers in the san diego area. To start you just need a few hand gravers a vice and a good light, start with soft metals like copper or brass and look up as much info as you can online, maybe pick up a book. The guys here are mostly veterans and super knowledgeable so don't be afraid to ask questions. I love leather too and moving up to metal is a natural progression that you will like. People love it when you can carve something in metal for them
Good luck - John

[Roger Bleile]

Dylan,

Given the relatively small number of skilled engraving instructors in the USA and the relative dispersion of locations, don't expect to find one in your back yard. However, a very fine instructor is located in Gardena, CA. John Barraclough has taught hundreds of people engraving. Here is a link to him: http://www.fega.com/membership/PhDet...?recidparam=27

Good luck,

Roger