Crossbolt
Elite Cafe Member
I started off intending to take a break from fundamentals and practice some very simple leaf and vine borders by hand pushing but, my self discipline being what it is, I soon changed to practicing more of the "tick" or "comma" cuts to try to get a feel for them. I've determined that for me a slightly shallower graver face of 40 to 35 degrees works better for this than the 50 to 45 face. I think I'm getting a reasonable feel for how it's done (basically plunging cuts flicking the burr as described elsewhere). What I seem to be hung up on is improving a curved end to the "comma" particularly when I curve the cut slightly. I've experimented with rounder versus more angular gravers and banking the graver but have yet to hit on something that works effectively. I've watched a few videos and not caught anything and haven't found this explicitly discussed in any archive threads (that might be the keywords I'm using of course).Any input would be appreciated if folks have something they think they can pass on about how they get a rounded rather than angular, pointed broad end to their accent cuts like this. Unfortunately I'm only working with my 'phone camera so images aren't the best. The second one with the pencil tip points to a variation I tried which produced more of a "club" like pattern; what I did here was stand the graver on end and pirouette it producing a small circular pattern. Not what I'm after but something different.
For now its back to demonstrating to myself again how I can't cut a truly straight line
For now its back to demonstrating to myself again how I can't cut a truly straight line