How wide is your graver? => 14 photos

 Our gravers come in many sizes and shapes. In this essay, we will explore a variety of them in great detail.

 I have not shaped them for this essay; these are my very own, which I've been using for many months (or years).

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 On the right side is a #2/0 Onglette blade. Now compare that to the left blade of #3 width. I have used this ultra-thin tool on many occasions to cut outlines of precise patterns.

These are the same blades, but from different angles.

 The yellow coloured blade is a "Flat" graver, while the others are Onglette-shaped.

  No matter the length of the blade, these blades can still be used in conjunction with my 'adjustable' graver handle.

  For your information, the #0 is a 'knife-edge' that was created by 'Gesswein Industries' many years ago.

 These are my well-used blades; I will fashion them to create a fine point and never use them if the point remains ultra-wide, as I've seen from other authors & setters.

These are my 'Flat' blades that come in various widths. For various patterns, I would use all three for different areas, if warranted.

  Although I'd use an Onglette blade for metal cutting, I'd transform them also into a "Bead-Raiser".

   When I purchase my blades, I visualise what they will look like once they are properly shaped.

  Even though this blade is a #2 (wide) Onglette, the possibilities are endless. It can be a cutting blade, or even a new 'Bead-Raiser'.

From one blade, as seen on the left, the age of the blade has no significance. Even a blade that is years old still has much life in it.

   This display shows the variety of Flat gravers of various thicknesses. I'll just go to my favourite tool supplier, thinking of what tool I need for the specific pattern.

 If that blade isn't available, I'll never give up. I'll just modify the closest shaped blade and let my mind and fingers do the rest.

 For this simple design, my various blades consisted of Onglette #2 for the Bead-Raiser. Onglette #1 for the preliminary cutting blade.

 Then followed by a Flat graver of #40 to cut flat angles. Finally, that ultra-thin #039 Knife-Edge to keep the outline clean.

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 If you think that this is easy? After 65 years of metal cutting, anything becomes easy.

 (By the way, this pattern was not initially cut or designed by CAD.)