Engraving tools are miniature chisels made of hardened steel. In proper engraving, a sharpened tool is set against the metal at a specific angle and pressure applied both downward and forward.
NOTE: Always wear eye protection when shaping and sharpening.
Graver Shapes with Cutting Angles & Faces
FLAT
has a rectangular cross section with a flat cutting edge used to make flat bottom cuts.
SQUARE
has an equilateral square set on its corner so the lower corner cuts the metal.
LOZENGE
has a rhombus shape with two acute and two obtuse angles for making “V” cuts with an acute angle.
ONGLETTE
is triangular in shape with slightly rounded sides that form a point along the bottom.
KNIFE
has an acute triangular shape used to make deep, narrow V-shaped cuts.
ROUND
has flat sides and a rounded bottom used to cut rounded grooves and raise beads.
OVAL
has an oval shape and is used to produce U-shaped cuts.
LINER
has a similar shape to the flat but with shallow parallel grooves running along its bottom edge.
DOTTER
has a rectangular shaft with a flat top and rounded bottom used to make dots or round bottomed cuts
Tempering Temperatures
