R.I.P. Ray Philips

Andrew Biggs · Jun 30, 2022

Sadly we have just learnt of the passing of Ray Philips last Saturday.

Ray was an amazing character and much loved friend of the American and international engraving fraternity. He invented the N-Graver power tool and started his N-Graver company suppling various tools to the trade.

He was a regular attendee at the many FEGA and gun shows and influenced a lot of budding young engravers.

I had the pleasure to meet Ray at my first FEGA show all those years ago at Reno, and many subsequent shows. He was a very interesting man to talk to with a wonderful sense of humour and great company. Always encouraging of new ideas.

I've attached some photos.

One is Ray and his close friend John Barraclough at the January Reno FEGA convention in 2012 where Ray was presented a cake for his 85th birthday.

The second is Ray with Kim Pember and D.J. Glaser from GRS at the same convention

The third is Ray and myself at the book signing of American Engravers 2 in 2011.

Rest In Peace, Ray…………The world is a smaller place without you and it was a real honour and pleasure to call you a friend. Great memories.

FANCYGUN · Jul 1, 2022

That is truly very sad news. I met Ray at the Hartford Gun show when he first started to market his Ngraver tool. We both had hair then. I was a beginning engraver and to find somebody who actually sold "real" engraving tools was like Christmas in July. Naturally I bought one of the Ngraver tools along with a bunch of other stuff. Over the years Ray has been a true friend and gentleman. It goes without saying that is punches and tools were the best to be found.
I will miss him.

JJ Roberts · Jul 1, 2022

Sad to hear of Ray passing he made some of the finest engraving tools the Magna Graver was my first power assist engraving tool the last time I saw Ray was at the Blade show he was with John Barraclough and John gave all engravers a engraving chisel RIP Ray. J.J.

Roger Bleile · Jul 1, 2022

I was saddened to hear of Ray's passing. He was a much-loved figure at the many FEGA meetings and gun shows he attended. Just about every senior American engraver has some tools from the NgraveR company that Ray founded. As much as we like his tools, we all loved the man who made them.

Rest in peace and love old friend.

John B. · Jul 1, 2022

Andrew,
Thank you very much for posting the sad news of the passing of Ray Phillips on the Cafe Forum.
I hope you will also post it in The Engraver for all FEGA members to see.

As Roger Bleile said so well, Rest in piece and love, "Ramundo," my dear friend.

Sam · Jul 1, 2022

RIP Ray. What a fine fellow you were and loved by everyone.
Memory eternal.

monk · Jul 1, 2022

my first power toy was the n-gravr. i spent perhaps 40 minutes on the phone with ray. only about 5 of those minutes were needed to clinch the deal. the balance of the time we spent swapping lies and whatnot. a real cool guy to have dealt with. my heart goes out to his family and friends.

SamW · Jul 1, 2022

I well remember the 85th birthday cake and celebration. I was asked to distract Ray while the cake was brought out of hiding so I asked his to explain his Ngraver. He proceeded to describe it to me in great detail. When asked to turn around he was very surprised by the cake and birthday party. Well deserved!

I always found his carbide graver blanks to be the best...luckily I still have a couple of packets of them.

John B. · Jul 2, 2022

SamW said:
I well remember the 85th birthday cake and celebration. I was asked to distract Ray while the cake was brought out of hiding so I asked his to explain his Ngraver. He proceeded to describe it to me in great detail. When asked to turn around he was very surprised by the cake and birthday party. Well deserved!

I always found his carbide graver blanks to be the best...luckily I still have a couple of packets of them.

I remember it too Sam.
And when Ray looked around and saw that he was being served a Birthday Cake, he had big tears in his eyes.
Wonderful memories of a good man, and friend to so many. May he rest in peace
Hope he and his Alma are united and happy together in Heaven.

silverchip · Jul 3, 2022

What a life!!!!! Ray was always willing to help a young guy out. I Remember meeting Ray at the Pamona Gun show with John B. at his side. I was a young engraver then. John could teach you how and Ray had the right tools to get it done.
Thank you Ray for being a part of our lives and providing us with your knowledge. You almost couldn't think of Ray without remembering that he was from the greatest generation and how he served his country and fellow man. Definitely on my Hero list!!!!!

John B. · Jul 3, 2022

silverchip said:
What a life!!!!! Ray was always willing to help a young guy out. I Remember meeting Ray at the Pamona Gun show with John B. at his side. I was a young engraver then. John could teach you how and Ray had the right tools to get it done.
Thank you Ray for being a part of our lives and providing us with your knowledge. You almost couldn't think of Ray without remembering that he was from the greatest generation and how he served his country and fellow man. Definitely on my Hero list!!!!!

Dave, thank you for your good thoughts about our dear mutual and departed friend, Raymond Phillips.
As you said, Ray was certainly a part of the Great Generation.
He served his country during WW2 in the Air Force, as a an aircraft engine mechanic.
For many years after WW2 Ray continued to serve the USA as a Navy Inventor/Designer.
In that position he made several major advances in submarine underwater stealth, during the Cold War.

Big-Un · Jul 4, 2022

A sad notice indeed of Ray's passing. I don't remember the show where I met Ray, but the time spent with him I'll never forget. He explained to me in detail how to use his N-Graver-R and I bought one on the spot, with the drill, and still use it some today. I also won a logo punch there and he made me a very small (he questioned me about the size I wanted) and I use it occasionally even today. It can be slowed down to replicate hammer and chisel marks if needed. All of his tools were top notch. A true gentleman and will be missed greatly.

R.I.P. Ray Philips

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