Critique Request Deep Relief Damascus Knife

[davidshe]

Just finished hand engraving this Damascus steel knife for a thoughtful young lady who wanted a very special gift for her boyfriend who is an avid outdoors-man.

The knife is a very inexpensive Chinese brand and I was not sure if the brass was plated or solid but it turned out to be pretty decent to engrave. I used this as an opportunity to practice my deep relief engraving. I know there is lots of room for improvement and I would love to hear your comments and suggestions so I can continue to improve hopefully. fyi... the mosaic emblem in the wood came with the knife. Thanks!

 

[Brian Marshall]

Not bad at all for a first crack, taking a chance on the material - AND having what it took to post it...


Brian

 

[scott99]

Hi, looks very nice,good cutting.

scott99

 

[davidshe]

Thanks Brian and Scott. I appreciate you taking the time to check it out.

 

[dlilazteca]

How did you finish your background?



Carlos De La O III

 

[davidshe]

Hi Carlos,

This time I used my rotary tool and lightly bounced it across the surface after I removed the background. What do you think of that look compared to a stippled finish?

 

[dlilazteca]

Hi Carlos,

This time I used my rotary tool and lightly bounced it across the surface after I removed the background. What do you think of that look compared to a stippled finish?

David

That's what I thought, going to ask you what my mentor always asks, after I asked him what he thought, what do you think of this method as opposed to the stippling?

Carlos De La O III

 

[davidshe]

I like it and I think I will get better at it in time.

 

[dlilazteca]

I think the end result is, did the client like it and of course did they pay enough for deep relief,

I used the same technique here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT04nMHfzjY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I posted the video and this is the reply I got from Andrew

It's in the thread found here.

http://www.engraverscafe.com/showth...ve a zippo from start to finish (entry level)

After reading it, and coming from someone who is light years ahead of me, it opened my eyes to what he meant.

For example in this picture and the way the background is finished.

http://www.engraverscafe.com/showthread.php?t=16197 Wm-Henry "Dragon" knife

Basically what I want to say, that I have gravitated towards what Andrew recommended, now remember this is just my two cents worth, and nothing is set in stone.

Hope it helps.

Carlos De La O III

 

[davidshe]

Thanks Carlos. I always like seeing and trying various techniques preferred by top engravers like Andrew. The technique I tried out on this knife I learned by watching videos by another pretty good engraver, Steve Lindsay. I also like to stipple using the technique I learned directly from Sam.

 

[LVVP]

I like to stipple using the technique from Sam and Steve