Review of Engraving Book

[mdengraver]

I recently visited JJ Roberts "School of Artiistic Engraving" in Manassas, Va. JJ introduced me to a beautiful engraving book which many of you have already seen. For those of you who haven't the book "The Basics of Firearms Engraving" a manual of the NRA Gunsmithing Schools Program by Neil Hartliep is one of the finest books I've seen on engraving. It is well illustrated and comes with instructions for many processes of engraving that I haven't seen explained elsewhere. The explanations are clear and break down the mysteries of engraving/gunengraving. Fine explanations are given for inlay, borders, scrolls and more. I highly recommend it, it should be in every engravers library. I only wish I had discovered this book sooner.
In makes a great addition to my engraving library at an affordable price. It can be obtained easily from many internet sites. I got mine thru Brownell's.

 

[Kevin P.]

Other than Brownell's the price varies from $110 to $170!
Kevin P.

 

[mdengraver]

Amazing that the Price Varies That Much!

Amazing that the Price Varies That Much!

 

[Marrinan]

Neil's book is were I started-I bought my copy, a mega block, gravermeister, power hone and an assortment of hand gravers and was off to the races-great info in that book, Although I must admit that I never did get the hang of cutting towards myself-found control very frustrating. You are right it is a very good guide to start down this road we call engraving.Fred

 

[JJ Roberts]

Neil's book is still available for $25.00 at the gun show in Chantilly, VA..Tommy's Books always has Neil's book for sale. I have sent a # of people over to him to purchase. I met Neil at an NRA convention in Phila. when I lived in NJ. He was a real gentleman. I believe he was a good friend of John B.

 

[Tim Herman]

Great will have to get me one soon.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

I'd personally rate "The Basics of Firearms Engraving" by Neil Hartliep as being in the top 3 instructional books about engraving. Whilst it relates to firearms engraving is also applies to engraving in general. It covers a lot of ground and is invaluable information for the beginner.

It costs $19.95 at Brownells and here is the link to Brownells.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[ddushane]

Just ordered mine, thanks for the info guys, Looking forward to getting it in. I can use all the help I can get

Dwayne

 

[Roger Bleile]

...I met Neil at an NRA convention in Phila...He was a real gentleman. I believe he was a good friend of John B.

Neil was a friend to everyone he met. He happily taught many people to engrave including has son Glen. Every year for many years we talked engraving at the Grand American trap shoot when it was in Vandalia, Ohio.

A picture of Neil is here: http://www.igraver.com/forum/gallery/photoplog/index.php?n=2158

CRB

 

[beegee]

I wish I had known about the Brownell's availabilty. I just bought one on ebay for $32.00...hmmph!

 

[John Cleston]

This was my first engraving book. I bought it in a Beginners Engraving Kit sold by Brownell's in 1994 I think the kit cost me $170.00.

I built the turntable bench first, It took a long time to get the right mix of componets. It is in the dungen with the rest of my relics. I am working on my own version of an engraving ball. Truth be told I should have just saved my money and bought a true engraving ball. But as a hobby engraver $650.00 seems like a lot for a vise.

In a few week I'll try and post a picture of my (new engraving ball)