How do you cut your scroll?

[fegarex]

OK, this might sound like a dumb title but here's the rest of the story...
While in Emporia, I was demonstrating cutting of scrolls to my students and Marcus was observing (maybe making faces at me) while I was doing this. Afterwards he asked me why I started my scrolls from the inside out...
My reply was that I really never give it much thought except that if possible I tend to cut a certain direction. I usually cut clockwise (turning the vise counter-clockwise) and never really give much thought to starting the scroll from one end or another, it just depends on the direction. This is only for the backbones in most cases.

Am I the only person to do this? Just wondered.

 

[Weldon47]

Rex,

Excellent question!
Personally speaking, I cut scrolls/designs/etc from either direction. Most of the time I begin cutting the backbone in the direction of the flow of the scroll & fill in the leaves afterward. I have found (as I'm sure you have), especially on firearms, locations that require one to cut from the opposite direction; i.e. when a structural element of the weapon is in your way, etc.etc...

Weldon

 

[Brian Hochstrat]

Rex, I think everyone has a direction that is more comfortable. Sam got me to cutting counterclockwise, spinning the vise clockwise. Being I make my cut on the outside edge of the layout line, not the center, I can keep the line I am following in between me and the graver. Brian

 

[monk]

i never think about this, but when possible, i usually cut turning the ball ccw. just seems more natural that way for me.

 

[dclevinger]

Rex, I do it the same way 80 to 90% of the time. Being right handed, it's easier for me to cut in a counter clockwise direction. I have been practicing cutting the other direction (mostly lettering) but don't feel comfortable enough to try a backbone just yet. A few weeks ago I started cutting parts of leaves and stems going clockwise without realizing it. I guess sometimes it's easier blend a stem into the backbone that way. I'm very curious to see what others have to say. Great thread.

 

[fegarex]

As Weldon said there are times that dictate the direction you are cutting, in some cases coming from both directions. It's also interesting that some do clockwise and some counterclockwise. I think its a matter of how you started and got comfortable with.

 

[FANCYGUN]

Sometimes as the need arises.I will cut from the middle of the scroll out. For instance when I want to make certain the backbone touches a border or other key indexing point, I will work from that point out in either direction. Usually when doing leaves or details i will work towards the main spline..seems to help me flow easier. For just regular scrolls or curves i fine cutting counter clockwise easier being right handed.

So I suppose this means you never listened to a darn thing i said all these years as we shared a room in Reno..huh

 

[Bill Brockway]

Rex -

I got started with a hammer and chisel, and am right-handed. The left hand steers the tool; the right hand propels it. Thus, nearly all my scroll work cuts are cut counter-clockwise, or "anti-clockwise," as Lynton used to call it. There are exceptions, as Weldon noted, but not many.

Bill

 

[Glenn]

So Rex, did Marcus say which way he cut his scrolls? One of the neat things about cutting the Buck knives that have the pattern that GRS sells is it requires cutting scrolls in both directions. That is if you're trying to keep a flow going.

 

[quickcut07]

Rex just a quick question are you right or left handed. As I was reading your post and now writing mine I was just trying to visualize being right handed and twisting the block counter clockwise. You know swinging my hands around now looking like a mental patient I have to go and try that I think it would work pretty good. You know I never really thought of turning that way unless I really had to. If I could get that technique down it would help me out considerably. I just assumed going the other way was the way it was done being right handed. One more trick to learn.

 

[fegarex]

Interesting... If you would have just asked me, I would say that I would cut counterclockwise as well but I actually had to go to the vise and see for sure. It's just easier for me to cut clockwise however if I have the option. I could see if you were a hammer/chisel person that the natural way would be counterclockwise.
And Marty....
Listen to what???

Oh, you taught me MANY things over the years! Just because you were booted out of the room this year doesn't mean I don't want more tips!

 

[fegarex]

Glenn,
Marcus said he cuts his from the outside to the inside regardless of the direction. Chris said he did the same thing. I thought maybe I was a loner so that's why I made this post.
Quickcut07,
I'm right handed. I'm not saying my way is correct. It's just the way it seems to work for me. The bottom line is you'll have to learn both as there are some times that one way won't work.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

This one's a real head spinner and I really had to think about it. I'm sitting here in front of the computer with a pen in my hand pretending to engrave on a CD. Thank goodness no one' watching me!!!!

I generally start at the bottom of the scroll and work inwards toward the head. The turntable/vice being rotated in the appropriate direction. Sometimes as Marty says from the middle, or from two different directions if there are obstacles in the way.

Now here's something to ponder.......................

Is it easier to cut a concave or a convex line from the same starting position?

Cheers
Andrew

 

[sam]

Per McKenzie's instructions, I cut all scroll backbones counter-clockwise.

 

[Marcus Hunt]

Well, I'm amazed!!! Not only divided by a common language but the way we cut scrolls too! I can honestly say I have never cut a scroll from the inside out. Not matter what the direction( forehand or backhand) they all go from outside to finish at the head. Yes it's easier to go anti-clockwise but having to reverse your cuts must be so time consuming. Engraving really is an individual art.

 

[Ron Smith]

Being an I'll engrave whatever engraver, I have found it useful to be able to cut from every direction. Backcutting is very useful at times and dictated more by the circumstances rather than any rule, so whatever it takes to get the job done in quality and good form. That is what I do................. and that is my two cents on the subject............Ron S

 

[diane]

Rex, I almost always cut counterclockwise. Guess that puts me in Marty's camp! When bright-cutting, I almost always go counterclockwise too. This is because I dropped the first step-liner I was given, had a bunch of belt buckles to engrave, and didn't yet know how to make my own. One corner chipped off, so had to do all the lining with the other corner. Now I find it lots harder to go the other way. Sometimes you have to cut the other direction - and there is nothing like making a bright-cut backwards! Diane

 

[Brian Hochstrat]

Diane, I did a silver saddle horn a while back and as you can imagine there is always something in the way and not to mention all the contours, not only did have have to cut a ton of bright cut backward I had to cut a few 1/2 frontward and then finish backward, I was not having fun . Could'nt figure out how to hold it either, so I ended up making a shot bag and just held it by hand on the bag, I hope its a while before I have to do another. Brian

 

[fegarex]

Marcus,
You guys drive on the wrong side of the road too!!

It's interesting, all the responses. I assume you were taught by your father to do it this way? I was never taught in any way so I just did it the way it worked best for me.
Diane,
Your comment about making a bright cut backwards must be a understatement! I would have NO idea how hard that would be to do.
Ron, I do cut both ways depending on what needs to be done but if I had a preference, I like a certain way. Seems like most cases I don't have a preference however.
And Andrew... My question is if you cut inward on a scroll at home, does that mean you would cut it outward here in America??? Much like the water in the drain thing, you know.....

 

[ChrisB]

I turn my Block ccw, as I'm left handed and this feeds the work into the tool tip. some leave parts, will dictate clockwise, but not all.