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    Critique Request Lighter for Ukraine

    This is a Zippo Armor lighter I engraved for a fundraiser for optical equipment for Ukrainian units. I'd be interested in any feedback folks have on it, either her layout or cutting details. For my first formal piece to the public I think it's not too bad although I'd make some changes in...
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    Vacuum Annealer?

    I've been making inquiries to see if I can locate a firm in the USA that will vacuum anneal an action so I can engrave it. It occurred to me that someone here may already have been down this path. Does anyone know of a vacuum annealing business that will handle such small quantity work?
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    Critique Request Fine English Scroll Practice

    I've continued working on trying to improve my fine English scroll based on Marcus Hunt's example casting. I'd appreciate any criticism or suggestions for improvement on my latest go.
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    Malcolm Appleby Studio Visit Pieces

    I just returned from a trip to Scotland, particularly for a hand engraving seminar at the studio of Malcolm Appleby which was amazing. I picked up 4 belt buckle castings based on trial pieces for some of Malcolm's epic gun engraving. I thought I would share them here (fronts and backs) so...
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    Critique Request Fine English Scroll Practice

    I'd appreciate any criticism of this English fine scroll practice piece in non-traditionallayout. Outerwork is deliberately larger than standard trying for a "livelier" look. I still have trouble popping the chip but think my shading is improving. Individual scroll form has room to refine I...
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    Critique Request Flowing Fine Scroll Experiment

    I'm interested in comments on my latest experiment which is a circular cut of "fine English scroll" but distorted and unfurling under imaginary rotation. (Image attached). My execution is mediocre with innumerable errors, but the distortion of the scrollwork is deliberate ( as I indicated...
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    Critique Request Guinea Fowl Practice

    I'm working, among other things, on my ability to portray basic "textural" elements of animals. In this case I've started trying my hand at Guinea Fowl feathers. Lots of details to improve but I'm pleased with the concept in general. If any one has any particular comments on areas for...
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    Critique Request Classic Border Practice

    I've been practicing some border elements by studying and experimenting with some of the sketches Ken Hunt posts on Instagram. Some are improving. Some are horrible. If anyone has any critiques I'd be interested in adding them to my own. One of the things I most need to improve are my...
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    Critique Request English Fine Scroll Practice

    Hope all are well and safe. I just finished a practice piece for English Fine Scroll based on Marcus Hunt's demonstration piece so I could make a direct comparison. I'd appreciate any comments folks here would care to make. What I observed of my own efforts was: 1. Scrolls often too squished 2...
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    Question: Optivisor v "Dental" Loupes

    Does anyone have any particular experience or thoughts on use of something like an Optivisor versus surgical or dental loupes? I'm wondering if the latter are any improvement but if so I'm guessing to be of value they need custom fitting like glasses which becomes expensive and out of the hobby...
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    Critique Request Practice Poppy

    I've been cutting this as close proximity "parallel" cut practice, along with some efforts at straight line framing and floral elements. The latter definitely need much greater uniformity of form and size. The straight lines need a lot of practice. Any critique or comments would be welcome. The...
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    Basic Bench Lighting (not microscope)

    Hi I'm hoping I can get some thoughts on best approaches and or lamps for lighting on a basic bench set up. I'm just a hobby beginner using a ball vise but lately I'm finding when practicing detail work I spend way more time fiddling with lighting and vise angle to see what I'm doing than...
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    Beginner Basic Graver Control - Penny Piece

    I'm a beginner and like many beginners I need to improve my depth of cut control making it, as a rule, much shallower. I recently had an idea for forcing myself to do this. I took a modern zinc core penny and, using a typical square graver, cut away all the plating except on any relief items...
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    Critique Request First Celtic Knot Work

    I'm working my way back into beginner practice and would appreciate any critique anyone cares to offer on this knot work. I know the outer border is rubbish ( experimental). I can see I need greater consistency, in all things, particularly the band width and spacing. Generally I think my cut...
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    GRS 2020?

    Does anyone know when the GRS 2020 class registration us likely to be active? I'm hoping in the next couple of months so I can get vacation requests in. Jeremy
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    Mantis Elite 'scope Experience?

    Hello, I came across an interesting microscope n one of Malcolm Appleby's Instagram posts. It appears to be a Mantis Elite which seems to use a digital display rather than traditional eyepieces. Has anyone had any experience with this piece of equipment? Jeremy
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    Appleby's Phoenix Gun

    I recently posted an Instagram link to images of Malcolm Appleby's Kalahari gun. If you like his engraving style then there's an opportunity to take a look at some moderately high resolution images of his Phoenix gun at the Gavin Gardiner website. It's going up for auction at the end of the...
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    Online Photo Resource for Study

    Many are probably familiar with the Holts auctions in England and the opportunity their online catalogue provides. For those that aren't I thought I'd point out that some of their listings have very high resolution digital images with the ability to zoom in on details. For a number of pieces...

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