Sam & Sam,
The thing is, us oldies, never had the books, video's and computor tools that are here today, you know, I look at how it is today and think, well if you can't engrave with all of this stuff than there's something wrong. Let's face it, you stick a graver in a template and sharpen it whilst watching tv. You stick the graver in a power tool and more or less point it where you want it to go..ok, I know there's a bit more to it than that, but what I'm saying is that within one hour a complete novice can have a design printed out, his graver sharp and he should be able to engrave a few lines.
I'm not knocking the way things are, in fact I think it's great, it's when students make too much of things that gets me a bit, it's only if they go back to the way it was would they really appreciate what is possible today.
Enough of my rantings I just post to help those who might have difficulties, find the right road...not that my ways are the only ones
Phil