Engraving Scrollwork Start to Finish
an instructional video by Master Engraver Sam Alfano
Sam asked me if I would view his newest engraving video and perhaps make a few comments about it.
My initial feeling is this is a must have tool that everyone from beginner to the advanced engraver will want to own. And, it would be the perfect companion to The Essential Guide to Drawing Scrolls also by Sam Alfano.
This video takes the viewer through the entire process of engraving a pocket knife literally from start to finish. Sam begins by showing a good way of holding a knife in the engraving vise that could also be used for any irregularly shaped object you wish to engrave. He then goes through the process of scribing the outline border and engraving it.
In the next steps of drawing the backbone scrolls and leaf elements, Sam does this all by hand using his Transfer Wax, pencil and scribe. Unless you are very good at freehand drawing, I think you could use many different methods to design and transfer it to the metal for engraving. So, I viewed those sections with that in mind and also enjoyed seeing another way of accomplishing the task.
He goes on to engrave the outlines of the backbones and elements with a very good section on background removal. Sam demonstrates two methods of background removal using both graver and the high speed rotary tool and their use in combination with each other.
There is a good demonstration of how to transfer the design elements and mirror them to the other side of the knife using clear tape and Transfer Wax. There are some other methods to do very much the same thing but this is a method that works well also.
The stippling section is interesting as Sam demonstrates his method of using a pointed round tool held slightly above the surface to be textured. He makes tiny circles with the tool and cautions the student to avoid the sidewalls. Also, he mentions to try to maintain a fairly uniform angle to the surface of the metal for a more even appearance.
The sections about shading, crosshatching and blackening finish the project.
The video is sharp, clear and well lit. Sam only narrates when it’s needed and there is no annoying background music to endure as I’ve seen done in some other videos. Everything is shown as Sam sees it through his microscope so it will directly relate to what you will see when you do it yourself. It’s probably the next best thing to actually being with Sam in person for the lessons. You have the added ability to watch and re-watch it as many times as you find necessary. And, you can rewind or fast forward as you desire.
Bottom line: Buy the video! The price is cheap compared to the wealth of information contained in it.
an instructional video by Master Engraver Sam Alfano
Sam asked me if I would view his newest engraving video and perhaps make a few comments about it.
My initial feeling is this is a must have tool that everyone from beginner to the advanced engraver will want to own. And, it would be the perfect companion to The Essential Guide to Drawing Scrolls also by Sam Alfano.
This video takes the viewer through the entire process of engraving a pocket knife literally from start to finish. Sam begins by showing a good way of holding a knife in the engraving vise that could also be used for any irregularly shaped object you wish to engrave. He then goes through the process of scribing the outline border and engraving it.
In the next steps of drawing the backbone scrolls and leaf elements, Sam does this all by hand using his Transfer Wax, pencil and scribe. Unless you are very good at freehand drawing, I think you could use many different methods to design and transfer it to the metal for engraving. So, I viewed those sections with that in mind and also enjoyed seeing another way of accomplishing the task.
He goes on to engrave the outlines of the backbones and elements with a very good section on background removal. Sam demonstrates two methods of background removal using both graver and the high speed rotary tool and their use in combination with each other.
There is a good demonstration of how to transfer the design elements and mirror them to the other side of the knife using clear tape and Transfer Wax. There are some other methods to do very much the same thing but this is a method that works well also.
The stippling section is interesting as Sam demonstrates his method of using a pointed round tool held slightly above the surface to be textured. He makes tiny circles with the tool and cautions the student to avoid the sidewalls. Also, he mentions to try to maintain a fairly uniform angle to the surface of the metal for a more even appearance.
The sections about shading, crosshatching and blackening finish the project.
The video is sharp, clear and well lit. Sam only narrates when it’s needed and there is no annoying background music to endure as I’ve seen done in some other videos. Everything is shown as Sam sees it through his microscope so it will directly relate to what you will see when you do it yourself. It’s probably the next best thing to actually being with Sam in person for the lessons. You have the added ability to watch and re-watch it as many times as you find necessary. And, you can rewind or fast forward as you desire.
Bottom line: Buy the video! The price is cheap compared to the wealth of information contained in it.
