{"id":3491,"date":"2014-10-27T03:45:13","date_gmt":"2014-10-27T03:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/?page_id=3491"},"modified":"2016-10-11T15:53:19","modified_gmt":"2016-10-11T22:53:19","slug":"talk-to-tom-or-mary-alice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/?page_id=3491","title":{"rendered":"Talk to Us\/FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s my email address if you would like to contact me (or Mary Alice):\u00a0tomtalk@comcast.net<\/a><\/p>\n

Commissions:<\/strong> \u00a0I turn down many commission requests. I\u2019m deeply appreciative of all the requests for my engraving I\u2019ve been receiving since showing my work on Instagram and Facebook. In the past I\u2019ve seldom taken commissions, and those that I did take were because they woke something inside me and I wanted the challenge, or maybe they just occurred at one of my weaker moments. However, I\u2019ve been forced to do some deep soul-searching and have decided to change my business model. I\u2019m semi-retired so many commissions have really cut into \u201cmy\u201d time, and I need to readjust my life to take back some of that to achieve the personal engraving projects that are pulling at the strings of my soul. So, with that in mind, while I will still be happy to listen to your requests, please understand that it is unlikely that I will take many of them. I will continue to pursue my own projects, many or most of which I will make available for sale via Instagram and Facebook.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, with that in mind, here are answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/strong> concerning my engraving.<\/p>\n

1) \u00a0Will you engrave my knife?<\/strong> That depends. I’m pretty particular about the kind of metal I want to engrave, and there are only a few knife brands that seem to accommodate that.<\/p>\n

2)\u00a0\u00a0OK, what kind of metals are you willing to engrave?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Titanium:<\/strong> \u00a0I\u2019ve been using Grade 2 titanium with good success (I think that is also called CP titanium) – gives a nice light gray. Titanium is very hypoallergenic (even better than silver), so no skin problems. \u00a0If titanium is connected to another metal, I will only use cold connections like epoxy, rivets or screws, since I can’t solder anything to titanium. \u00a0I prefer not to engrave 6AL4V titanium – although it’s great for making knives, it is tough as hell to engrave. However, I have recently broken the code on 6AL4V titanium for \u201clight\u201d engraving.<\/p>\n

Below, this is an example of \u201clight\u201d engraving on 6AL4V titanium.
\n\"Coin_Claw_Steampunk_Viperfish_52\"<\/p>\n

Bronze:<\/strong> \u00a0Bronze is engravable if it is rolled sheet, but cast bronze can cause problems with porosity. Bronze patinates really well to a nice dark brown.<\/p>\n

Stainless Steel:<\/strong> \u00a0410 or 416 stainless engraves very well. Stainless is a nice silver\/shiny color. \u00a0If I had to choose a favorite, 416 would be it, both for engravability and durability (it isn\u2019t too bad about rusting). Does stainless steel rust? Yes. I can also chemically blacken 410 and 416 stainless steel, for a nice contrast.<\/p>\n

The 300 (including 316) series stainless is on my naughty list. 300 series stainless is too tough to engrave enjoyably and cleanly. I think of the 300 series stainless steels as “tough” and \u201cgummy.\u201d Most engravers will balk at these.<\/p>\n

Copper:<\/strong> \u00a0Copper works well for carved work (patinates to dark brown). Great color, and I like working with it.<\/p>\n

Shibuichi:<\/strong> \u00a0Shibuichi (Japanese \u201cprecious bronze\u201d art alloy of copper and silver). I can make small sheets of shibuichi which works just like bronze but has that “cool” factor. \u00a0It engraves and carves beautifully.<\/p>\n

3) How much does it cost for you to engrave something for me?<\/strong> I\u2019m expensive. I start my general calculations for price at $50 per hour, and I include some hours in my estimation for design, sketching and pattern creation. I find I can only work 3 to 4 hours per day at the microscope engraving, so basically you\u2019re looking at $150 – $200 per engraving day.<\/p>\n

\"William_Henry_B12_Viperfish_102\"
\nAs an example of pricing, the Steampunk Viperfish pair of scales for William Henry (above) is $2000 for the engraving alone, not including the cost of the knife.<\/p>\n

\"Coin_Claw_Steampunk_Viperfish_53\"
\nThe little round steampunk Coin Claw pendant knife (above) netted me $900 for the engraving via auction.<\/p>\n

4) How long will it take?<\/strong> I have no clue. I only engrave between 3 and 4 hours per day, and only on the days I want to engrave. Did I mention I am semi-retired? I have two scientific and technical college degrees, am an expert in Aerial and Electronic Warfare and I have extensive experience in scientific computer modeling and studies and analysis. I engrave because I enjoy it. I\u2019m extremely well qualified and if I wanted a day job, I could get one.<\/p>\n

5) If you were to accept my commission, what should I know?<\/strong> My general policy on commissions is full price up front before I begin the work, and upon delivery you have two weeks for approval.\u00a0 Should you not want the piece, upon return to me in original condition, I will refund 50% of the purchase price – so, basically, there is a 50% nonrefundable deposit. This price includes US Postal Service shipping to the Continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska. \u00a0The Rest Of The World will require negotiation, research and extra money. Additionally, since much of my work is strange and unusual and is often a weapon, shipping to The Rest Of The World will probably not happen.<\/p>\n

6) Do you offer a warranty?<\/strong> Yes. I will do my best to make right anything that goes wrong with my work if it is my fault, as long as I am physically and mentally able. My work is designed to be handled and to last – I want your great grandkids to still be fighting over Great Grampa\u2019s engraved (fill in the blank). Plus, if it can survive my clumsy making, it will survive your handling, assuming you don\u2019t deliberately abuse it.<\/p>\n

Additionally I will \u201cfreshen up\u201d an engraving created by me at no cost, as long as I am physically and mentally able to. You cover the shipping and insurance to and from my place of work.<\/p>\n

7) I am interested in learning how to engrave, can you tell me in a one paragraph e-mail how?<\/strong> I\u2019ve blatantly stolen this answer from Chris Malouf\u2019s engraving FAQ page, because it\u2019s a good one\u2026 He says – This is the Kobyashi Maru of all engraving related questions as there is no correct answer. An honest answer reveals that years of experience can not be compressed into one email and the useful information is, of course, NEVER enough. Against my better judgement I continue to answer these rather than deep six them….that’s because I do wish to help.<\/p>\n

OK, if the above hasn\u2019t scared you off, what\u2019s on your mind?<\/p>\n

Tom Sterling<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s my email address if you would like to contact me (or Mary Alice):\u00a0tomtalk@comcast.net Commissions: \u00a0I turn down many commission requests. I\u2019m deeply appreciative of all the requests for my engraving I\u2019ve been receiving since showing my work on Instagram … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"spay_email":""},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P6qLAy-Uj","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":4757,"url":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/?page_id=4757","url_meta":{"origin":3491,"position":0},"title":"What Do I Need To Start Engraving?","date":"August 27, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"What Do I Need To Start Engraving? \u00a0I don't know how many times I've been asked this question. \u00a0Enough, I'd guess, that it has spurred me to add this page about such things to my blog. #1 -\u00a0Commitment: \u00a0The number one thing you need is COMMITMENT. \u00a0Successful engraving is an\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Hammer_Chisel_Tutorial_1a.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":4376,"url":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/?page_id=4376","url_meta":{"origin":3491,"position":1},"title":"Simple Engraving for Knifemakers","date":"May 20, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Originally produced for the Bladesmith's Forum, August 2012: \u00a0http:\/\/www.bladesmithsforum.com\/index.php?showtopic=24166 I\u2019ve been asked to create a tutorial on simple hammer and chisel engraving, and I\u2019ve chosen to do one oriented towards knifemakers.\u00a0 But, let\u2019s get a few things straight up front, so no one has any illusions.\u00a0 This tutorial WILL NOT\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Viking_Head_1.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":2866,"url":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/?page_id=2866","url_meta":{"origin":3491,"position":2},"title":"Bladesmithsforum.com Interview with Tom","date":"March 7, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"In Jaunary of 2011, Tom had the honor of being interviewed by Serge Panchenko for a series of Knifemaker Interviews on bladesmithsforum, to top knifemaking forum on the Web. Here's a link to the original: \u00a0Knifemaker Interview Series And here's the interview, complete with questions: Serge Panchenko: \u00a0Alright, our next\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Bladesmithsforum_Interview_24.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6006,"url":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/?page_id=6006","url_meta":{"origin":3491,"position":3},"title":"Engraving a Classic Adams Trout Fly eBook","date":"September 21, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Engraving a Classic Adams Trout Fly\u00a0eBookDownload for Amazon Kindle Here, $2.99 USDDownload for Apple Books Here, $2.99 USD Engraving a Classic Adams Trout Fly is intended for experienced intermediate or advanced skill engravers. These instructions lead you step by step through creating your own hand engraved and gold inlaid Adams-style\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Engraving_a_Classic_Adams_Trout_Fly_Cover-scaled.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":291,"url":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/?page_id=291","url_meta":{"origin":3491,"position":4},"title":"Resources","date":"January 14, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"About Us Available for Purchase Talk to Us\/FAQ Our Art Jewelry Steel Bladed Knives Stone Bladed Knives Links Engraving Resources What do I need to start engraving? Tutorial: \u00a0Simple Engraving For Knifemakers Tutorial: Making Small Scrapers for Contemporary Engravers Bladesmithsforum.com Interview with Tom Netsuke Resources How to Carve Netsuke and\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 1 comment","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":2,"url":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/?page_id=2","url_meta":{"origin":3491,"position":5},"title":"Links","date":"January 14, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"Web Links you might find interesting! My current sales page at \u00a0Arizona Custom Knives: http:\/\/www.arizonacustomknives.com\/tom-sterling-sterling-sculptures.aspx My past sales page at BladeGallery.com: \u00a0Tom at BladeGallery.com Follow Tom on Instagram: \u00a0http:\/\/instagram.com\/tom_sterling_hand_engraving Follow Tom on Facebook: \u00a0http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/TomSterlingHandEngraving Bladesmith's Forum, where I sometimes hang out: \u00a0Bladesmith's Forum Following the Ironbrush.org: \u00a0Following the Ironbrush.org Awesome\u2026","rel":"","context":"With 4 comments","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3491"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3491"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3491\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4795,"href":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3491\/revisions\/4795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/sterlingsculptures.com\/wp\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}