It's been awhile

[Turtle]

Hello to all new engravers and experienced alike. I have not posted for quite some time. I am slow to say the least. LoL.. I am still hand pushing my engraving and I recently added hammer and chisel to my practice. It's been a little over two years since I have started and 18 to go to make master .. I'll reach master, it'll take some time, but I'll be there one day. I have attached pics of my first completed knife and my first completed work with hammer and chisel. Also I attached a couple of pics of my other work I have completed recently. As always, I am nervous to post my progress, as I am slow to learn, but I still love my work and I look forward to hanging out with the greats, one day! I have no real advice to offer to new engravers except, keep pushing, ask questions, and listen, don't skip a step, lay the graver with confidence, curse the slips, and laugh in the face of frustration. Each step becomes a piece of your greatness and your personality becomes each cut (oh, and don't brush off the burs with your finger tips, it just cuts them all to h*#L :D ) . Blurbs from a crazy Turtle and much love to all.

[gravalance]

Keep going! Looks like pretty good progress to me! I don't think it will take 18 years:-)
Good cutting!

[Turtle]

Thank you Gravalance!

I figure it takes 20 years to become a master of a trade. I would like to go to school one of these days. For now, my book collection helps as I go. BTW, your work is beautiful. I really like the wood inlays, this is a technique I want to learn but in stag handles.

[gravalance]

Thank you too.
Then I wish you to find the time some day soon, there is so plenty of excellent teachers giving courses here on the forum!
And good luck with all your projects!