How to Scribe on Steel

Scribing steel can produce beautiful works of art.

Scribing on steel, also known as siderography, is a process that was developed in the early 1800s. Scribing on steel first began as a method of preparing steel plates to make copies of printed material. Steel is a strong, hard metal that produced many copies from each engraved sheet, permitting the first books to be mass-printed. Today, steel is primarily used by artists since it is ideal for scribing delicate lettering and designs.

Things You'll Need

• Knife graver
• Lozenge graver
• Graver handle
• Flat sheet of soft steel (large enough for your intended pattern)

Instructions

1. Purchase a sheet of soft steel, also called mild steel. Soft steel has a low carbon content that makes it easier to engrave than harder steel. You may be able to find soft steel at your local hardware store. You can also purchase steel specifically designed for engraving online or at some art supply stores.

2. Procure graver heads and handles. The graver is the tool used to scribe on steel. Graver heads come in many different shapes, but in order to conduct basic work, you will need a knife graver and a lozenge graver, as well as handles for both.

3. Attach a graver head to the graver handle. The head should slide easily into a groove in the handle. Make sure it is secure and does not slide around when you attempt to wiggle it.

4. Grip the graver firmly. Cup the knob at the end of the handle in your palm, so that it is pressing firmly against the back of your hand. Guide the graver head with your thumb and forefingers as if it were a pencil.

5. Direct the sharp end of the graver head towards the steel. Press down softly until you become accustomed to the amount of pressure that is required to make indentations of different depths. Change graver heads to create lines of different thicknesses and different shapes.

Tips & Warnings

• If the piece of steel you are scribing on is very small, you may wish to grip it in a clamp or attach it to a large wooden board so that it does not slip while you can perform detailed work. Large pieces of steel will usually remain immobile during engraving and do not need to be mounted. You can practice your design on a sheet of copper, which is often cheaper than steel and is also softer and easier to engrave.

• Never carve with the graver pointed towards you, just as you always cut away from your hand when using a knife. The head of the graver is very sharp and can cut you if you do not use caution.

References

• Ketterer Kunst: Steel Engraving
• Engraving Machine: Steel Engraving and the Process of Steel Engraving
• Chest of Books: Engraving on Metal

Resources

• "Engraving Metals: With Numerous Engravings and Diagrams": Paul N. Hasluck: 2009