Carving Font - Especially Small & Detailed

[bissetdesign]

Hello All

My very first post so I'll begin with a big hello to everyone, I'm Paul in UK, joined around a month ago & have been searching the forums & reading some notes on where I can improve on what I already know & try new techniques out & thoroughly enjoying what I'm reading & seeing, especially the stuff from pro's out there.

My initial query is concerning fonts & carving them, I have found a couple of posts re carving fonts but didn't really answer my questions so apologies in advance if this has been asked previously, how do I or is it possible to carve a small detailed font which will be in a 10mm/12mm thick scroll above & below a coat of arms? The piece itself is only 150mm x 100mm or 6" x 4"

I really do not want to stamp the letters out as its my personal opinion that these letter stamps kind of detract from a nice finished carved piece so I would love to carve the letters in but do not think my experience stretches that far, I reckon the letters will have to be no more than 8mm high to sit nicely inside the scrolls, if possible, does anyone have any experience in carving letters that small & what tips if any can you offer?

The scrolls complete with the lettering has been transferred to the cased leather, the coat of arms has been carved & I'm now looking at the scrolls & lettering & I'm thinking 'no way!' & 'hmmmm maybe if I just take my time & go really slow!'

Thanks

Paul

[Tina]

Yes to your question, it is possible to carve them.

It will be fiddely and my best advice will be to use an angled blad on your swivelknife. That blad lets you take curbs and corners much smaller and easier. Make sure you have a set of small bevelers, you'll need them :-)

[bissetdesign]

Thanks Tina

I did read on another post about using an angled blade as you say, which I do have but i just doesn't feel comfortable with it, maybe it's down to not using it much & requiring a lot of practice but I much prefer the standard 3/8" straight blade

[Tina]

Nowdays I only use my angeled blade to everything, could it be that it's on my Leather Wrangler knife??? I can work my combination small barrel/angeled blade almost anyway I want, sky's the limit :-)

[Bob Blea]

Thanks Tina

I did read on another post about using an angled blade as you say, which I do have but i just doesn't feel comfortable with it, maybe it's down to not using it much & requiring a lot of practice but I much prefer the standard 3/8" straight blade

You are right about the practice part. Make sure you try it several times on scrap leather before working on your actual project. When I have to do a font like this I do it a time or two on scraps till I'm sure I can duplicate the font well on the actual project. I don't want to take a chance and do one the first time on the actual project and end up ruining it.

Bob

[AndyL1]

I've used an X-Acto on serifs and small inner shapes. I should add I use it CAREFULLY so as not to cut through the leather. Follow it up with a small beveler and backgrounder.

Andy

[bissetdesign]

Nowdays I only use my angeled blade to everything, could it be that it's on my Leather Wrangler knife??? I can work my combination small barrel/angeled blade almost anyway I want, sky's the limit :-)

Hmmm could be Tina, they do look a great knife to use, if only I could get one in UK for a decent price

[Cyberthrasher]

I finally got a couple of angle blades just for this fine detail work, but I've been tempted to use an exacto a few times. Just practice practice practice and take note of all the things you do wrong each time instead of blindly repeating the same mistakes. You'll have it down in no time after that.

[bissetdesign]

You are right about the practice part. Make sure you try it several times on scrap leather before working on your actual project. When I have to do a font like this I do it a time or two on scraps till I'm sure I can duplicate the font well on the actual project. I don't want to take a chance and do one the first time on the actual project and end up ruining it.

Bob

I usually do that Bob to be honest, only on the small intricate stuff though that I know will give me a problem. One of my first mistakes a few years back was to try a design that was completely beyond me & I screwed up a nice piece of hide.

I've used an X-Acto on serifs and small inner shapes. I should add I use it CAREFULLY so as not to cut through the leather. Follow it up with a small beveler and backgrounder.

Andy

I've not had any experience of the X-Acto knife Andy, although I have seen them around on the internet, do you use the swivel model?

[AndyL1]

I've not had any experience of the X-Acto knife Andy, although I have seen them around on the internet, do you use the swivel model?

I wasn't aware they had a swivel model. I just use the standard one. Give one a shot... just cut lightly.

[bissetdesign]

I've not had any experience of the X-Acto knife Andy, although I have seen them around on the internet, do you use the swivel model?

I wasn't aware they had a swivel model. I just use the standard one. Give one a shot... just cut lightly.

Not your typical swivel, doesn't mention leather but I can see how it may be useful for fine detail - Not sure about the colour either

http://www.xacto.com...-Knife-(1).aspx

Edited October 10, 2012 by bissetdesign

[AndyL1]

Not your typical swivel, doesn't mention leather but I can see how it may be useful for fine detail - Not sure about the colour either

http://www.xacto.com...-Knife-(1).aspx

Ahhh I see. I don't see any reason why that couldn't work for cutting tiny lines. I've had good luck with the fixed blade as I just use the very tip, but that swivel looks even more useful.