Gravers vs. Rotary Tools - Tiki Carving

P Paipo Member Aotearoa / NZ Joined: Jun 22, 2006 Posts: 1886	P Paipo Posted posted on 02/13/2009 AZ, if you google "Carving Path" and search their forums, you will find oodles of info about gravers, specifically the ones described in the "Bone Carving: A Skillbase of Techniques and Concepts" book. There are even videos of them in use, and advice on how to manufacture them. I haven't seen much mention of gravers here on TC, perhaps with the exception of Sebastian's work. I haven't carved bone for many years but from my own experience of seeing many NZ masters' work, I would put gravers ahead of rotary any day for the quality of line and detail! Because they are in essence tiny chisels, they are eminently suited to replicating the techniques used on the ancient pieces. (Having said that, I did meet a guy in Rarotonga who did fine surface carving with tungsten burrs that totally blew my socks off, so it still comes down to what works best for you.)

AZ, if you google "Carving Path" and search their forums, you will find oodles of info about gravers, specifically the ones described in the "Bone Carving: A Skillbase of Techniques and Concepts" book. There are even videos of them in use, and advice on how to manufacture them. I haven't seen much mention of gravers here on TC, perhaps with the exception of Sebastian's work.
I haven't carved bone for many years but from my own experience of seeing many NZ masters' work, I would put gravers ahead of rotary any day for the quality of line and detail! Because they are in essence tiny chisels, they are eminently suited to replicating the techniques used on the ancient pieces. (Having said that, I did meet a guy in Rarotonga who did fine surface carving with tungsten burrs that totally blew my socks off, so it still comes down to what works best for you.)

Post #434152 by Paipo on 02/13/2009