Electric Engraver for Tools

Why no, I can’t do calligraphy….

The written word is nice. But the engraved word lasts longer.

There are many times that I need to save important information about a tool. And writing it down, even in “permanent” marker, just isn’t enough.

So years ago I sprung for this inexpensive engraver, and I’m surprised how much I use it to record things such as sharpening angles or the exact composition of a piece of tool steel (A2, O1, M2 etc.).

Sometimes I engrave important information for my future self, such as “do not power grind” on tools that are laminated steel. Other times I engrave who the tool belongs to or where it came from. When I used to build a lot of campaign furniture, I would engrave the hardware to record its position on the piece – that made it easier to reassemble the piece after finishing.

But mostly, I engrave bevel angles and steel composition. All of our inshaves are ground at different angles and need to be polished at that angle. So engraving it on the metal shaft between the blade and handle makes my sharpening chores easier.

And most manufacturers don’t record what sort of steel is in the chisel or plane blade (some do, and thank you for that). So when I get my mortise chisels out, the engraved “M2” is a reminder that I’m going to need to use a diamond stone to turn a burr on the tip.¹

I wouldn’t say the electric engraver is an “essential” piece of woodworking gear. But it does make my life in the shop a little less frustrating. And for $25 (give or take, depending on the brand), I’m happy to have it around.

P.S. This is a lightweight review – I know. Look for something upsetting later this week.

1. Editor’s note: And for those of who have astigmatism beyond the redemptive capacity of corrective lenses, it comes in handy for marking “X-cut” and “rip” on the plates or spines of backsaws; those teeth are soooo hard to see!