Beautiful work.
All single point shading,,no use of a liner tool.
A liner is popular as it saves a ton of time but it cuts multiple lines that are parallel with each other.
Single point shading,,cutting each and every shade line one by one allows you to have the lines converge, vary in thickness and break up into small segments as needed to create the shading 'color'.
All those differences in those shading lines makes creating the different grey tones from white all the way through to black on a steel surface.
Even dots are used in some engraving and that's when you get into 'bullino' engraving techniques.
The jet black background on this is likely the addition of a black compound painted onto the surface and into the lines and background. Then the excess is wiped off of the surface leaving the black in the cuts.
It's sold as for just that purpose from Engraver Supply outlets. The solvent part of the stuff is usually acetone. I think I still have some,,somewhere.
Some engravers have their own mix that they use.
What also helps is that the metal was not polished to a blinding bright brilliant polish. It has a beautiful even polish that allows the engraving to show and even more with the black accencent added.
Pattern is beautifully designed and layed out. Much thought went in to it.
The style reminds me a lot of how Lynton McKenzie used to design and cut his work.
Hammer & Chisel engravers are in the minority now. A very small minority.
Most new engravers don't even ever try to work with the hammer or hand push gravers. They use them as props in beauty shot pictures of their work.
...Right to the air assist tools for the actual cutting.
I think that's a mistake. But they are looking for results,,and all have visions of a Gun Magazine cover with a picture of their work on it.
Results matter at that point.
Many seasoned engravers that were using the hand tools quickly switched to the air assist tools when they hit the market in the 70's.
Saved time, a money maker for the full timer for sure.
The first real successful commercially available one was the GraverMeister. Then the GraverMax, There were others like the N-Graver.
It made for a lot of inexpensive hand engraving tools on the second hand market!
Learning 'Chasing' (Hammer & Chisel) is a long process and can be very frustrating. Many just give up before seeing results.
Then add the use of 'Gravers',,a simple engraving bit in a hand/palm tool. That's another very difficult tool to master all over again.
! The contrasting background really makes the engraving stand out nicely.
