Texture - hows this done?

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello.

There is a texture I’ve seen various jewellers use especially Henry
Dunay. Its similar to that achieved with a line graver except more
even and rounded. Less sharp or faceted than waht a line graver will
do and more pronounced and smooth.

A little like many tiny little sausages all layed out on the
surface.

see links to photos




any help much appreciated.

Thanks
Phil W

2

Hello Phil, This texture can be duplicated with a knife edge bur.
Just lots of strokes and lots of patience. If you are applying it in
wax; don’t run your flex shaft, just scrape it.

Have fun.
Tom Arnold

3

I am not sure how those piece got their texture, but I would try a
brittle sanding disc in your flex shaft. Maybe test it on some scrap
metal to make sure you can control the direction of the cuts. I have
used mine to make similar texture, but it does feel rough to the
touch.

4

That is called Sabi. I’ve had a number of Sabi pieces in my hands,
the stuff is magic. I watched a Dunay promo video that showed Henry
applying the Sabi finish. It was a simple back and forth motion with
the flexshaft, like you might do with a Florentine bur. Except its
NOT a Florentine bur. I’m told that Dunay made this tool himself. The
vid does not give a good peek at the tool.

If you look close you’ll see that the carved lines are not parallel,
although from a distance they appear so. I suspect the lines are cut
one at a time because sometimes a cut line will just stop in the
midst of others, like where they follow a taper or something. The
walls of the cut lines are very crisp and bright which suggests to
me that the tool is either diamond or carbide, although I admit this
is total conjecture. Its also possible the tool cuts two grooves
because the finished product is very uniform, just think how hard it
would be to cut semi-parallel lines with a small rotating single cut
tool. Whatever it is, it is magic.

5

The finish is known as Florentine and is created with a Florentine
graver, also known as a line or threading graver.

See item 4 here

http://www.familycrest-engraving.co.uk/engravingtools.html

Regards, Gary Wooding

6 
There is a texture I've seen various jewellers use especially
Henry Dunay.

Phil, I’m not sure if you’re showing two different textures, or if
it’s the photography. The orange stone ring set looks like Mizzy
wheel (use separating disk for detail in corners). It could be the
same as the other two, which are either engraved or what I sometimes
do - properly sized, very sharp if not new hart bur. And a steady
hand.

7

This texture takes me back quit a few years, when I had to imitate
horse skin in bronze.

To achieve this type of texture, you are going to have to make a
special punch. Prepare a metal rod, like you always do when making
punches. Take a coarse file. If you look at file pattern closely, you
would see that it is made of intersecting lines, however close to the
tang, there is an area where lines do not intersect.

Bring you punch to orange heat ( just a tip ), quickly position tip
on non-intersecting area, and give it a sharp blow. The tip will
acquire negative impression of the area. File the tip to the shape
desired and temper it to dark straw color.

Different textures can be obtained with this tool by using different
shapes and imparting twisting motion with the left hand, and at the
same time when punch is struck with with the hammer.

The texture, you have shown, probably was produced by square or
rectangular punch, but more interesting effects can be had by using
round, triangular, and even crescent shapes. Of course, do not expect
miracles until you practice with the punch for a while.

Leonid Surpin

8

I have done a similar texture on a flat sheet of metal. I use a
scribe and a ruler and make line after line. I have formed this
texture later with handmade wooden tools. It is so very time
consuming but it catches color and reflects it so beautifully. In the
examples of what you had links to I am wondering if it was a casting
of a texture which was used. I don’t have a photo of my best example
of this texture but this one shows it anyway. Good Luck to you!

Kim O’Brien

www.kobrienjewelry.blogspot.com
http://kobrienjewelry.ganoksin.com/blogs

9

I don’t agree; the texture is too coarse to have been done with a
liner.

The caveat here is that we’re looking at a photo, much different
than looking at an actual piece.

KPK

10

Hi Kevin,

I don't agree; the texture is too coarse to have been done with a
liner. The caveat here is that we're looking at a photo, much
different than looking at an actual piece.

You are absolutely right. You will never get this surface with a
liner. There is a tool called a 70 degree bearing cutter that would
be perfect for the purpose.

Tom Arnold

11 
I don't have a photo of my best example of this texture but this one
shows it anyway.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25637120

Your texture has a regularity that the Dunay(?) pieces do not.