Hammer & Chisel Engraving by Sam Alfano

Old school hammer & chisel engraving demonstrated by master engraver Sam Alfano.

[@OvelNick]

There's something inherently beautiful about the intimacy and romanticism that comes with a piece a craftsman used their hands and analog tech to create.

[@neiljborja]

Pretty inspiring to see what you can do with such simple and inexpensive equipment! Thanks for the video!

[@danterusso6354]

Thank you for your tutorial/video. I have a deep level of respect for what you create. Well done!

[@glennlopez6772]

Thanks for the video Sam! Most inspiring watching the lines form so smooth with such control. Such handwork should be treasured!

[@bncoop09fallon96]

Sam, you have a gift. I'm not talking about your engraving (although, I could, as it also is a gift of yours) I am talking about your ability to captivate, teach, motivate/inspire, and you seem like you enjoy it. Great work, I appreciate you taking the time for this stuff. Oh....probably should have mentioned, this particular video was very useful. Thanks again

[@steamgadget]

Another awesome demonstration! I learned engraving with push gravers and some hammer and chisel. This makes me want to pick up my hammer. Thanks for making the video and sharing with us!!

[@btdarterschannel112]

That turned out more than great! It's beautiful! Thanks for the awesome video!

[@RafaelCruzFoto]

Thx for sharing your knowledge! People like you are amazing huge respect! Cheers from Canada

[@RRMWildChild]

I’m not sure how I got here but I’m glad I did. That sir was some beautiful artistry. Thank you for sharing.

[@msm.3140]

Such lovely engraving, what a gift you have!

[@keithkimsten5111]

Sam I enjoyed your video greay. I engraved on mostly silver but the techniques are very similar. There is some finish techniques to add and some rolling techniques of chasing to be added to further mostly the nonferrious metals end of chasing and engraving that I used in a protype shop I worked in for a long time. Perhaps for another day. But this video shows your obvious talent and willingness to go oldschool when needed which is almost a lost art today... Every piece I did was old school but that's mostly because I'm old... LOL. Thanks much for stirring so many my old memories I hadn't thought of in decades..

[@BlindLemonFishStix]

I know you probably don't look at comments on these old videos, but I wondered if you could define what a "heel" is. That was such a small tool that it was not obvious what was being done during sharpening. I find your work truly fascinating! Lovely!

[@alexkarnaukhov8020]

Красиво, хорошая работа, требующая большого терпения и высокого уровня мастерства. Желаю успехов!

[@toadjam12000]

Great video Sam. Thank you.

[@alicerosa6766]

Wow! That's a great technique. It looks easy but I know it requires a lot of practice and patience to get the perfection. Thank you for sharing this beautiful art👍👍.

[@liamthompson9342]

So therapeutic to watch. Beautiful.

[@closerlookbooks]

Such beautiful work. Thanks for posting.

[@arvilmaddox6666]

Thank you Sir I loved this I learned so much just from watching. I will definitely be trying this.

[@RiverVmanna]

Very nicely made demonstration. Thank you.

[@coaxsanford832]

Super Job,I have always wanted to see that done,thanks for your time.

[@victortsykunov]

Started so dirty cut then it goes better and better. Been a long time I believe ! Nice job Sam

[@jorickferies2299]

Thanks for the advises, impressive job !

[@Konduct_]

Looks great. Thank you very much and I hope all is well with you 🤙

[@GottliebGoltz]

That looks like it's right up My Alley. Thank You.

[@jakegevorgian]

Thanks Sam! I did enjoy it. Thanks for inspiration. I should turn a new handle for my graver and try this method. I'm total newbie in engraving.

[@Gunsgame1966]

True craftsmanship! I’m just starting out at 56 , I can’t afford a GRS or Lindsay pneumatic engraver so it’s basics for my basic start in engraving , hope I win the lottery but I’m not a gambler

[@aaliaoh719]

Beautiful video man!

[@jeffreyharrison6896]

Thanks for the video Sam. I would like to see you make a video of recommended tools for starting on a low budget. Also off subject, I noticed the banjo in the background. I play a fretless Appalachian mountain banjo.

[@jkrofchick90]

I would also love seeing a video of beginners tools and techniques

[@stevenhudson6843]

Yes get amazon links on it? I dont know the name of these tools.

[@has123456]

Congrats from Brazil. Exactly. Tool names and tips about this great art. I'm wating for this.

[@meraki]

Great job man!!!! Nice skill

[@robmart5920]

I'm taken back to when Paul Revere engraved like this. Engraving in its purest form.

[@NovoWatch]

Wow! Amazing work!

[@kennethjanczak4900]

nice work Thanks for taking the time to make the video and share it

[@ratedrHXC]

This is all the motivation i need

[@LaszloGalloVideos]

Fantastic work (again).

[@simonoconor8149]

Wow, fantastic craftsmanship.

[@marcelomerchan9563]

Gracias, Maestro!

[@nicolasmartinezsalazar6478]

---hermoso trabajo..felicidades.

[@wolfhawaii1]

Very nice indeed! I have aspirations to try this.

[@lvd2001]

You are the best - Thanks for sharing

[@jkrofchick90]

Wish you lived in California ,I could sure use some help starting up! If I lived near you I wouldn't miss a single minute of class haha metal engraving is such a beautiful art form ,and I can't wait to make something like you made here lol you make it seem effortless.keep up the beautiful work! Jonny

[@hjones1]

You, sir, are quite talented. Very nice.

[@Ty_N_KC]

Your close home... nice work!

[@Inesophet]

So nice to see that thanks to youtube craftsmanship like that are never going to die out.

[@handlebullshit]

Beautiful work.

[@arcelaguilar929]

Hermoso trabajo maestro,el que usted realiza ya me suscribi a su canal saludos desde la ciudad de México.

[@timetravellingbunny3952]

Fascinating work. Apropos of nothing other than enjoying spotting such things--that appears to be a 16610.

[@moladhdodhia1580]

I am so impressed, what a great talent to be so gifted in.

[@jackkuehneman9300]

The only gift is patience and wanting to learn. It's hard work to get that good

[@satyanarayanamendu6231]

What a nice and precision work. You are Expert keep it up

[@Grabador_mx]

amazing work master

[@stuartclark4699]

Wonderful video Sam, I've started engraving using hammer and graver. So far practicing on aluminium, copper and brass and a home made rotating vice made out of an old drill press vice mounted on large nylon cutting block washers (about 6in diam.) with Teflon lubrication spray between. Your work in an inspiration. I can't seem to find a good blackening compound though. Black paint doesn't seem to work for me. I suspect you use some sort of graphite compound. What should I try? Thanks in anticipation. Stuart (Australia)

[@richarddvll]

wonderful video helps a lot think I have to get me a rotating vice for sure

[@kristibbradshaw]

Very nice. Thank you.

[@decoymiata]

What an art something I always wanted to try

[@johntrueblue]

You are the grand master.

[@MrKombuchaman]

Thanks Sam.

[@legendrebernard2549]

A great demonstration perfectly explained and shown thanks a lot :) :) :) I have suscribed and the thumb up of course !!

[@mukhumor]

Lucky is the man who is happy in his work.

[@PietroMaker]

Ciao. Sei un artista. Saluti dall'Italia

[@shaunhall960]

Wonderful!

[@simonbrady2570]

As a master bronze caster and cowboy I can see the potential of using your method to carve wax modeled into decorative spurs for everyday use. Once cast I would inlay with silver. Simon Australia.

[@Blueravan]

Thanks Sam! That was enlightening. Have you done, or do you do, metal inlays?

[@faikbalaban]

wow fantastic work

[@orazioramagnano5532]

Bravissimo Maestro,!

[@robmart8255]

Can you imagine how much better that could have turned out if the microscope rotated whileyou walked around the work? Very good demonstration. Nice engraving.

[@joaovalentim945]

Hello Sam! Great job! On a piece like this, how many times do you grind the chissel?

[@Geospasmic]

I could watch hours of this.

[@arnaudsimon3265]

so cool !

[@mapriluti]

amazing... congrats...

[@johnnagazyna992]

Great work for being Rusty!!! Some day I would like to do that well

[@keithhunter3499]

Mesmerising too watch ,from an unskilled in any art guy, envy and admiration are all I can offer .fantastic 👍🇬🇧

[@ALSomthin]

I am going to try this. I will make myself some tools. Too bad I dont live near Kansas anymore.

[@armandozapatacamacho8774]

Gracias. Bello. Trabajo

[@johnzzhu]

Wow, very cool. How critical are the angles at the tip? Can you do something similar with a wood chisel on softer metals like copper?

[@mrandmrsalfano]

The geometry of the chisel is absolutely critical. I wouldn't use a wood chisel on metal, no.

[@dreyn7780]

It’s NOT cool.

[@Sheepdog1314]

@@dreyn7780 huh?

[@figbig1338]

Good afternoon, Sam Alfano! Your work is beautiful. I also want to learn this kind of work. but I do not have any tools or skills yet. Can that that will advise, with what to begin? What tool.? Many thanks .

[@TheChrisshelman]

that is so nice

[@guloguloguy]

I like your bench vise! What is it? Where can One find such a tool?!... Thanks !!!!! AWESOME Video, and Skills!!!

[@mpccenturion]

Thank you. I was looking to hide some marks that a previous owner left on a firearm. This seems to be a practical was to "disappear" the issue. I'll practice some before attempting anything, but this gives me somewhere to start. Cheers

[@podjawsomness4642]

Greate video! Would a carspring metal work as the chisel?

[@kmtmc07]

Sam, I have enjoyed your videos.I would like to know the engraving tools brand thanks.

[@autisticsoda3256]

SOOO COOOOL i want to do the same thing to my self hand crafted gladius

[@jemalted5232]

Thanks You .

[@hobbydelcoltello]

Congratulations for your explanations, which punch do you recommend to make this sign and where to buy in Europe? for black shades do you use black oil ink? thank you

[@johnnygradi9017]

great job!! where can i find engraver with that shape? thanks

[@mohammedalkhateeb7075]

nice work. if you please can you tell me what tools are using? where are you buying?

[@GrosseMARK_Laser]

very beautiful! Now such things can be done with less effort on laser machines. we have a lot of video engraving there

[@alessiozambotto988]

Tnk for video! I'm from italy and i apology for my eng! Please tell me something: is possible engrave and iron temprate blabe only whit cesel and hammer? Tnk all

[@Libertin9000]

Hi Sam, why is the hammer necessary? is it because the steel is hard? I see the 'hand push' engraving video, which does not require a hammer, is it because the metal was softer or the graver is sharper? I'm looking to start engraving but unwilling to yet make heavy investment in pneumatic system. Thanks for your insight.

[@scottleft3672]

you best learn to know every cut before you put a fast impacting device behind it.

[@andrekrishna4753]

hello, can I ask you, where to get the vise and what is the name of the vise

[@botavictor5832]

what dye do you use to fill the grooves?

[@abdulrheemalmekhlafi]

Amazing 😍 really really 😍

[@SigismundSonOfDorn]

This is what id like to do. Time to start saving for a hammer and chisel

[@nudgeA7]

oldskool rules, tnx for video^^, im totally new to this, but seriously considering buying me a dremelset to experiment with^^

[@coinflipper6331]

I don’t have the equipment to do this. Is their an easier and cheeper way to hold the pice of metal in place and a more affordable equipment to magnify what I would be doing?I really love seeing you and others doing this and I would like to join the crew!

[@ducomaritiem7160]

Thank you. I'm to far away from you, in the Netherlands, do you know any engraver in my neighborhood who I can go to to teach me?

[@VALENGO11]

Sir, could you choose any technique for any work? or some works dictates hammer or hand engraving?.

[@ScoutSniper3124]

Awesome video, thank you. Where could I buy that kind of chisel and hammer? Thanks

[@coreymerrill3257]

I see why you like the handpiece speed wise . How would this be undercut for inlay? When would it be done as well?

[@joebainter]

Nicely done

[@byfieldmichael1992]

Any pointers on how deep is too deep of a cut and what to do to prevent uneven cuts

[@sislertx]

Wow..thanks for sharing. I now appcriciate this work much more..I wish there was a tv show that has masters of their work sharing what they do so that people can understand the history and methods used to get us to this point. With all these machines that just do things such as those new 3d printers it just eliminates the masters now... .I would like to try this maybe once or twice. Too old to take up a hobby that requires great eye sight. Even with a microscope. .lol That chisel..I suppose they have a specific name. Where would one get one...