Products by Ian Corrigan
This range of wood engraving tools is a collaboration with Ian Corrigan and EC Muller. For some time Ian and I have wanted to make available high quality engraving tools based on my experience as an engraver and teacher. Ian is a master wood turner, musical instrument maker and engineer. EC Muller has a history going back to the 19th century.
The tools come set with beautiful hardwood handles, ground and sharpened ready to use. The grind angle is approximately 30 degrees, correct for wood engraving. The chart below shows the size and mark made by each tool so that you can see what you are buying. The names are those used in the British tradition of wood engraving.
How to identify the tools: This is done by looking the end or cross section of the tool. Some of the names are descriptive, others not. The information below will clarify both the appearance of the tool and its functions.
Sandbag
4”, 6” and 8” engravers’ sandbags. These are the best sandbags you can buy and are of the same quality as those sold years ago. Very firm and made from best quality vegetable tanned leather with sinew stitching and mellow burnished finish.
This is an essential piece of equipment as a support for the block whilst engraving. Please note that engravers sandbags differ from jewellers sandbags. The latter are usually soft, with a suede finish and designed to hold the piece of work steady. For wood engraving, a smooth and firm surface is required so that the block can be rotated freely.
Spitsticker 2, 5
Boat shaped cross section, curved sides coming to a point. A general purpose ‘drawing’ tool, good for curved lines and lines that can swell and taper. The very fine sizes are to be avoided (anything smaller than a num- ber 2). If you want only one, then buy a medium.
Round Scorper 52, 56, 60
The Scorper comes in two types, the round end and square end. As you build up your collection of tools, these are the types you will need in the greatest number.
Round scorpers have a round end, square scorpers a square end. The smaller sizes are multi purpose (like tint tools) and may be used for linear work and, in the case of the round ones, stippling. The larger sizes are best for clearing. In these larger sizes round scorpers will make a deeper cut, and the square scorpers are good for paring away the ridges left by the initial clearing.
Tint Tool 4
Sometimes neglected, this is the most useful and versatile of all the tools. Excellent for straight lines of even width, it also works well for curves, especially tight curves. For stippling, this is the best tool for producing a correct dot. Strictly speaking not a pointed tool, it allows for stipples that don’t look like jabs. The very fine tint tools are best avoided for two reasons: they are very prone to snapping in the wood due to their delicate tips. They also tend to produce scratchy work that is difficult to print.
Please note that the numbers 50 and 52 Round Scorper, function exactly like a tint tool. The number 4 tint tool, 50 and 52 Scorper therefore constitute what are effectively tint tools.
Chisel Tool 3
Used for one task only - chamfering or bevelling the edges and corners of a block when clearing goes right to the edge. A one trick pony, but essential for the task.
Square Scorper 40, 44, 47
The Scorper comes in two types, the round end and square end. As you build up your collection of tools, these are the types you will need in the greatest number.
Round scorpers have a round end, square scorpers a square end. The smaller sizes are multi purpose (like tint tools) and may be used for linear work and, in the case of the round ones, stippling. The larger sizes are best for clearing. In these larger sizes round scorpers will make a deeper cut, and the square scorpers are good for paring away the ridges left by the initial clearing.
Square Graver 4, 9
These come in two types, the square or diamond graver. The cross section here is square and initially this is the version available here. This is an excellent tool for expressive mark making, allowing for the finest of lines that swell dramatically. Mastery of the graver is an essential skill. Not suited to anything but the slightest of curves. The other version is the Lozenge Graver, with a more gradual taper.
Please note that although graver is sometimes the generic name for all engraving tools, it also refers specifically to these tools.