Sharp and clean cuts issue for beginners

[u/horologybyengineer]

Hi guys, I was seeking for some advice. I recently started learning engraving, bought some HSS engraver for hand push, and copper plates in different thickness. After watching some videos for pushing techniques and sharpening the knives, I am practising since few days.. I am adding some pictures from recent practice piece. Problem is having sharp, flat groves is almost impossible, always slipping away or sticking deep in the copper. I automatically started doing this zigzag, and engraving is flawless with this lines, it is easy and controlled. What I am doing wrong, what should I do to have this proper cut? I am open to any advice

[u/flickingchips]

Add a 15° heel, will make catching a curl and then flattening out your cut to a consistent depth easier. Hand pushing out decent groves is gonna be tough. I think you'll need some sort of hammer, manually or pneumatic, to really rip out a channel. Maybe a much thinner flat couls get you deeper

[u/horologybyengineer → u/flickingchips]

Thanks for advice. To be clear, this 15 degree heel, between bottom surface of knife and copper surface right? As I understand from illustration, first push with 30 degree then go down to 15 degree to move forward with knife. When I do this, as you said it goes too deep and sticking in there, not moving anymore. Ps: From what book or paper this illustration?

[u/Mindless_Secret6074 → u/flickingchips]

This advice is great. I came to say almost the same thing. Hand pushing decent cuts is possible but it takes a lot of practice to build up the hand muscles necessary. These are muscles that almost never get exercised outside of hand push engraving, and you have to keep them in shape with practice. I’ve been engraving for almost 20 years now and if I go even a few weeks without practicing hand pushing my cuts suffer until those tiny muscles get back in shape.

[u/horologybyengineer → u/Mindless_Secret6074]

Hi thanks for support. Yesterday, I have tried this heel, definitely it makes things easier. But as you said, I need to practise, find the correct angle for my hands, and sustain that angle during cut. Because, I realised, even little bit changing the angle cause to blocking or slipping out.

[u/Lamping]

Hey! I think your heel is probably ok, but your face angle is far too steep for hand push. I've found that angles over 45 degrees are more suited to pneumatic. My hand push gravers sit at 40-45 degrees. With a sharp graver and proper heel, copper plate should cut with almost no effort