Mr H-
I am not yet a member of any guild or firearms/engraving organization.
Out of respect for the fine craftsmen doing some of the work seen around here, I’ll refrain from calling myself an engraver in the context of this thread.
Let’s just say I’m on the way and enthusiastically enjoying the ride.
Until I feel I have a somewhat concerted element of style to offer, I'll be keeping my steel work to myself unless I‘m specifically looking for direct toutelage.
I still have some of the copper practice plates from my first class, and I think I have an example of one of the critters off the gun in the photos above. We did simple lift/reproduce exercises and I thought one of the little monsters would be fun. I’ll dig it up and post it here to the thread.
Getting the necessary Govt clearance to do gun engraving here in Downtown Oakland will be tricky if at all possible. That's where I'll focus my efforts anyway, and with persistence and luck I might actually end up with the proper class of FFL needed to run according to legal standards.
Until then most of my time-in-metalcraft is focused on keeping the mortgage paid and the overhead covered for the family. That's quite a scramble these days! Still, I'm getting closer to the once-a-day at the graver's block that the old men suggest I strive for while I'm getting my style and skills sorted.
Cheers
Tinker
