Just Starting Bright Cut and quick question

[RawhideArtist]

Hey all,

Finally got my GRS gear in being a Magnum handpiece and a GraverMax. I have Diane Scalese' dvd on western bright cut and here are my first attempts with the oldest on the left. I still have less than 9 hours total on a graver and I plan on trying to do 16-20 practice scrolls a day free handing with only a backbone to help me develop a feel for flow of the bright cuts. I also have learned to sharpen and polish before each session. My question is regarding heels on my gravers, should I recut them everytime I sharpen or run the gravers over diamond spray leather strop each time till they wont take an edge that way? Also do these look promising? I am my worst critic at this.

 

[thughes]

Rawhide, you're only 9 hrs in, you're doing fine. We've all been there.

 

[allan621]

Rawhide, like Thughes says, you're only 9 hours into it. Its going to take a bit to get used to how the tool handles. You should guide the tool with enough pressure to keep it moving forward without forcing it forward at a pace it doesn't want to go.

Also you should be aware of the difference in the tool not being sharp with the tool not being polished. Sometimes the tool will pick up the hint of what you're cutting on the face ( this happens most often with pewter ) and makes the cut dull looking.

If you have a microscope then take a look at the graver's edge. If it looks raggedy or chipped or just not an even edge then it needs to be sharpened, But if it looks ok but kind of just cloudy then get a piece of leather, put on some diamond powder ( Sam mentioned this and because I've never gone wrong following his advice I bought some on ebay ) and stroke it a few times and see if it polishes the face of the tool. I engrave a lot of jewelry and this helps a lot in keeping the cuts bright.
I use two magnetic leather pads which I keep together, ( available on ebay ). One side has the powder on it the other plain to wipe the powder off.