Traditional Hand
Engraving Methods and AirGravers
The traditional tool for hand engraving and stone setting, and
still widely used, is the palm push graver tool. This traditional hand
engraving tool consists of the working point or graver, set into a wood handle
that fits into the palm of the hand. The graver is pushed through the metal
curling a chip up as progress is made.
A problem that arises with this traditional tool, even in very
fine engraving cuts, is that when the graver is pushed through a cut, a loss
of control is experienced due to the force exerted. The graver point will
tend to stick and slip through the cut leaving an uneven flow to the cut.
Even the best jewelers and engravers have this problem when using a palm push
engraver. Beginners will have even greater difficulty, and in some cases the
slipping can cause extensive damage to the work. Engraving with a power
impact engraving tool can eliminate this problem. No longer is it necessary
to "push", but let the impacts of the piston drive the tool through the cut.
In fact, while engraving with an impact tool you should only use enough
pressure to hold the graver's point in the cut, which naturally is
proportionate to the depth of cut. An advantage to the AirGravers is they are the same size as the
traditional palm push tool. For complete control it is necessary to keep
the graver's shank right behind the point resting on the thumb. Many of
the commercial type power gravers are too large for users to reach the point
with their thumb in this manner. AirGravers are matched in size to
the traditional palm push but with the addition of power when desired.
