Anytime there is a question about engraving I can’t stop myself from
commenting. I have been a hand engraver for over 30 years and yes I
was taught the old fashioned way by an instructor with a very narrow
idea of how it should be done. I have had at one time 200 stores
sending me items to be engraved and yes most of it is lettering and
monograms. I have used a gravermax for the last 20 years and I won’t
go back. The bottom line is that if you want to earn a living at it
you must be fast, both in your drawing and cutting. I use carbide
gravers because they stay sharp longer and they take a very good
polish, so I spend less time sharpening and more time cutting. The
gavermax does all the grunt work for you. I can engrave for a solid 8
hours a day without getting tired. That is not possible if you have
to push the gravers through the metal. And lets not even talk about
if that metal is steel.
I have not found anyone willing to put in the time to learn hand
engraving, including my 4 children. But if I do I am going to teach
them with a gravermax right up front not 10 years into it.
John Wade
Wade Designs Jewelry