IOVI OPTIMO MAXIMO! Wire Inlay is Easier Than You Think!

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Well done Matt!

So much for several month's worth of incompetently trying to emulate Erik Koenig with engraving chisels. I think I might try your method instead!

Silver is softer than brass by the way. I checked with the School of Jewellry in Birmingham's Jevellry quarter and was advised by the engraving tutor to practice with copper wire, which he said was about the same in it terms of softness as silver, whilst brass, of whatever type, being an allow, was considerably less pliable and thus less suited to hammered inlay.

Crispvs

The difficutly in using a graver is exactly why I considered simpler techniques and to be honest, I'm doubtful the Romans really did it very often either given that you need pretty good, hardened steel to engrave iron. This punch method is SO straightforward and easy that I have a very difficult time imagining it not being how at least some pugio scabbards' inlay was done.

I'll have to try an example with copper wire to see if I can detect any difference

:lol: :lol: I would almost think you had been speaking to Brian Stobbs, Matt, as that is exactly what he said about wire inlay.

[Matt Lukes]

He also feels that engraving wasn't a primary method of decoration but that punchwork was?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

He said something along the lines that it would be difficult to use an engraver and to have the lines remaining of uniform depth, but the jist was the same as you have just said, so don't quote me. I can relate the intent better than a quotation verbatum. :lol:

[Matt Lukes]

Okay, right. Well I don't know if he's correct about the difficulty with the graver or not- I would think that since engraving is already a fairly difficult technique to learn, once one has mastered it, I'd expect keeping a consistent depth would be part of that mastry. The thing is that it isn't quick to learn but punches can be done by anyone with the ability to hold a punch straight and follow a line :wink:

[Crispvs]

A little caveat here: whilst Brian Stobbs is a first rate craftsman, his research is often a little on the light side. If you want examples send me a PM.

Crispvs

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Well give me some examples Crispus. I saw his helmet which doesn't seem too light on the research side, and haven spoken to him a few times, he seems to have a lot of info to share. We can't all be right all the time! :wink: Surely your not going to go on about his belt thing.... :lol: He makes some pretty good pugios too.

I'm sure it is a difficult thing to master Matt, but then why would you bother to do it with punches at all if you were able to master it easily?
So which method do you use /prefer?
Like I said, what you were saying was something like what he was saying. As it was a phonecall which was interrupted several times, I wouldn't use my statement as a quote on what he said.

And , just while you are actually answering some of my responses, any chances of some answers to the queries I've thrown at you over the last year? :wink:

[Matt Lukes]

I'm sure it is a difficult thing to master Matt, but then why would you bother to do it with punches at all if you were able to master it easily?

You might have this backwards- I'm saying that because engraving is difficult to master and using punches is super-easy, that there's less rational to learning engraving.

So which method do you use /prefer?

I haven't the time or interest to master engraving- not when punching is more appropriate and FAR easier :wink:

And , just while you are actually answering some of my responses, any chances of some answers to the queries I've thrown at you over the last year? :wink:

You've asked me a bunch of questions that I've not answered? Like what?

[Gaius Julius Caesar]

Hmmmmm, as I've just finished night shift and am on the way to get my invoices in, then catch some sleep before the chopper, I will try to remember.

Asked you a few questions about your newstead style seg a while back, about the gauges of metal used, prices, etc

[Aedinius]

I was wondering if there is any historical evidence in doing Inlay for armor such as a Roman?

[Matt Lukes]

I've never seen anything on any Roman armor myself

[Magnus]

Hey Matt, dumb question, so bare with me. When you use those chisels, are you actually peeling the metal away, the same as with a wood chisel, or are you compressing the metal down like a punch?

Also, what sizes are the nails you got?

[Matt Lukes]

It's just compressing- peeling it away would be engraving. I haven't seen more than one diameter of concrete nail myself, they just vary in length. The ones I have are about 5mm diameter, and 3" long (the length is a personal choice though)

[Aedinius]

I am working on making a Muscalata and I was thinking adding some bronze inlay designs on it would be really nice looking. Since there isn't any historical representation, I might not but it is mighty tempting though.

[Matt Lukes]

Yeah, every musculata I've seen has raised decoration- appliques, etc., but then it's not exactly unreasonable to theorize that perhaps such highly-decorated armor might have inlay as well. So long as you only describe it as theoretical, why not? I take it since you're considering 'bronze inlay' that the armor itself will be steel? If so, that's already a theoretical leap since the only known musculatae are copper alloy...

[Aedinius]

Yeah tis true I am making it out of .032 4130 steel I have ready to go. I am or will be using for fighting (SCA) so I need it pretty tough. I do want make a bronze casted applique of a Gorgon fo rthe front, but that will be a little further down the road