So many things are decorated, personalized, identified with engraving. Sometimes a story is told through the engraving on a whale’s tooth. A map of the settlements and forts along the Mohawk River might be found on a powderhorn. A piece of silver, engraved with a woman’s monogram, causes the archaeologist to pause, wishing the brooch could tell its story.

Finial < Previous | Next > A finial on the butt plate, shown in this photo, is entirely hand cut from a smooth piece of brass.

There are countless styles of engraving, from primitve to high art, including Baroque and Rococo, two of my favorites. Loaded with floral motifs, the Rococo is free and swirling around the object, whether it be a firearm, a picture frame, or a piece of jewelry. I am starting to play around with relief engraved animals and scenery for firearms engraving. The relief work falls somewhere between sculpting and drawing.

I love to draw, and find it essential for engraving. I liken engraving to drawing with a chisel. I can sketch a design in pencil or marker, then engrave it, adding the details and embellishments after the basic elements have been cut. I also engrave for printing, both on copper plate or wood engravings.

I include some photos to give an idea of the variety of my engraving work. Most of it is handwork, some of it is machine cut engraving.