How to Engrave a Sword
Swords are stunning collectibles and make the perfect gift to celebrate many events. To make a sword even more special, many people choose to have a unique message or design engraved on the blade. Engraving is often done professionally, but can also be accomplished at home with a few simple tools and some practice. There are various methods you can use to place inspiring quotations or a pattern on a sword blade, but using a rotary tool engraver is one of the easiest to master.
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Things You'll Need
- Sword
- Rotary engraving tool & accessories
- Soft lead pencil
- Permanent marker (Sharpie)
- Printer & word processing software
- Paper
- Scissors
- Scotch tape
- Soft cloth
- Eye protection
- Penetrating oil (such as WD-40)
Instructions
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Decide what you want to engrave on your sword blade. Type the quotation or design the image and print it out on paper. Cut out the printed design and gauge it for size and placement against the blade.
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Flip the printed design over and, using a soft pencil, draw thick lines over the printed design. You should be able to see it through the paper. Don't worry about staying inside the lines at this point. Your aim is simply to put a thick layer of lead over the design pattern.
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Turn the paper over to the printed side and tape it firmly into position on the blade. The side with the pencil lines you just drew should be on the inside, directly touching the metal blade.
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Trace your printed design pattern with the lead pencil. The pressure should transfer a discernible layer of lead onto the surface of the blade. When you're finished, gently remove the paper. You should be able to see the pattern you intend to engrave lightly outlined on the blade of the sword.
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Use a permanent marker to outline the pattern you wish to engrave directly onto the sword blade, drawing over the pencil lead residue. When you have finished, a distinct pattern should appear outlined on the sword in permanent ink.
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Place the sword in a stable position ready for engraving. You may wish to place it in a vice. If so, first wrap the part of the sword being gripped with cloth to prevent it being damaged by the vice. If not using a vice, place the sword on a flat surface and use one arm to press it down firmly while leaving your other arm free to hold the engraving tool.
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Prepare the rotary engraving tool. Pick an engraving attachment suitable for what you intend to engrave. A ball-shaped diamond engraver is often best for lettering and simple patterns as it engraves a fairly wide strip with just one pass. For more intricate lettering, select a fine-tipped diamond head.
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Put on your protective eyewear. Set the rotary engraving tool to about half-power. Then, grip the engraving tool like a pen and gently touch the engraving tip to the metal surface. You will need to grip it tightly to prevent the rotating head from traveling across the blade and marking areas you want left untouched.
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Use the rotary tool in a 'painting' motion to engrave along the lines you drew with permanent marker. Do not press down with the engraving tool or you will score the metal unevenly. Aside from stabilizing the tool as you use it, you should be letting the rotary engraver do the work.
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After you have finished the first letter or pattern, use a cloth to wipe away the metal residue and examine your handiwork. Be careful not to wipe off any of the permanent marker showing the remaining pattern to be engraved.
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After finishing your engraving, wet a cloth or rag with penetrating oil and use it to wipe away all remaining metal residue and permanent marker from the blade. This will help protect your newly engraved blade from corrosion.
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Tips & Warnings
Engraving is tricky to master! Be sure to practice several times on other pieces of metal before you attempt to engrave your sword. Most swords are made from stainless steel or high carbon steel. Practice on kitchen knives or other metal items made from similar materials as your sword.
If you find tracing your design onto the blade with a soft pencil doesn't create a clear enough pattern for you to follow, you might be better off getting a professional stencil made. These are reasonably priced and will help you accurately mark your pattern before engraving.
Be sure to wear protective eyewear at all times while engraving. Tiny shards of metal can easily enter and damage your eyes during the process.
Carefully read and follow all safety instructions that come with your rotary engraving tool.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
