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Hello Joules,

I would like to welcome you to the forum, Steve is the best of hosts. Engraving has a wide variance of distinction from what is known as Bulino to deep relief carving and every possibility between. There are many ways to engage the medium as engraving and it is possible to utilize old skills to gain a foothold, depending on what it is you wish to accomplish. Many tools can also be interchanged with other crafts and other that the graver itself and of course how it is applied, hand pushed, hammer and chisel or an Airgraver. Many will insist that drawing is a must and this is true depending on what you have in mind to do, but do not let less than perfect skill limit you as it is not necessary, and as a skill if you don't have it, it can be learned. Getting stated can be great fun, don't let the steep learning curve throw you, after a short time of frustration you will gain your footing with cutting with control, and yes the right tools can cut the learning curve considerably but are not required. There are many friendly and helpful engravers, do your research and ask you will get help, don't be shy with showing your work even from the start we all started at the beginning. The Masters post their work to encourage you to start and improve not intimidate beginners. Best of luck.

Bob