I recently bought a set of used gravers on ebay.
The seller didn't know much about them other than that they had belonged to his father and were for engraving jewelry, also marked with UK.
I thought: well, if he made them, used them and cared for them they are probably a good set since I haven't got a clue of what gravers to get.
They all looked like they were kind of long as well, and not shortened into oblivion.
All in all I got a set of 17 gravers for far less than retail price, so I am happy.
Will attach a few pictures of them, if you happen to know a bit more about them than I do, please reply.
I guess I will need to add a few things later on, like a scraper and such, but for practicing on copper those should do.
For instructions I bought the book "Engraving on Precious Metals", so I am all good to go. Well, almost.
Now to the questions:
1) Handles.
The book shows just a mushroom shaped handle (and says no more about them), but Cookson got a lot of shapes.
Is there any shape that is better than the other (in general, or for different types) or it is just a matter of preference?
2) Grain tools.
Will not buy any now, but later on when I get to stone setting.
Cookson offers a set of them and also sells them individually. How often do you use the different sizes, is it advisable to go for a set or just buy the ones you need for a certain project (or a few of them)?
3) Oilstones.
I purchased a set of cheap oil/whetstones on ebay (no, I don't imagine them to be super good), 3000 grit (ruby, 150x20 mm) and 10000 grit (jade, 50x20 mm).
Is it too fine a grit or will I be able to sharpen the gravers without cursing for hours?
I do got a cheap angle jig as well to use with the 3000 grit (and will fabricate something to keep it still while sharpening), the 10000 one was most for really fine finish if needed.
Will probably upgrade to the good stuff later, but my budget doesn't allow for a real Arkansas oilstone right now.
4) Anything else I should know about?
Except practicing and always keep a first aid kit and a hotline to the ER nearby?
/Andreas
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