Hey, it’s Jenessa.

In today’s issue:

• Deep Dive: The Art of Perfect Sharpening: Lindsay Graver Tips + Bonus Download Inside…

• Let’s Connect: Here’s how I can help you...

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•PRESENTED BY THE ARTIST BURROW DESIGN + BUILD

•INTRODUCTION

Hand Engravers are Rockstar's, Baby.

Twenty years ago, while enjoying a carefree life on the West Coast—where my biggest concerns were paying rent and making it to class on time—I landed my dream job at the nation's largest custom jewelry design studio.

The studio was a buzzing hive of about fifty artists, each with their own unique specialties.

If I narrowed it down to just the jewelers, they fell into these seven distinct categories, each with their own quirks and expertise.

This week, we will continue our focus on the rock stars of the shop... the hand engravers.

We'll break down another way to sharpen gravers because YOU asked for it...

The Steve Lindsay way.

If you missed last week's Graver Sharpening 101 Lesson- check it out here.

Let's get into it...

•DEEP DIVE

Let the Engraving Battle Begin…

Two decades ago, when I first dove into custom fine jewelry, Sam Alfano and Steve Lindsay dominated the engraving market in the U.S.

They still do!

Both are world-class artists, educators, and tool innovators who've shaped the lucrative engraving world of jewelry, knives, firearms, and luxury collectibles.

Sam Alfano's crisp, deeply cut bright illustrations and classical engraving style made him an icon. His long-standing partnership with GRS and their advanced engraving tools cemented his role as a brand ambassador.

Steve Lindsay, an equally skilled engraver, is perhaps even more famous for his tool design innovation, including the AirGraver and a ton of other patented engraving tools.

So, as a jeweler starting out, how do you pick your air system?

It’s like a never-ending battle in your head...

😂 Back to Reality…

Let's be real—most professional jewelers don't get to choose their air system. The studio owner makes that call.

In my decades at the bench, every shop I worked in had a GRS air system for stone setting and engraving for each jeweler.

But if a jeweler specialized in hand engraving, they usually used a Lindsay.

A talented hand engraver once told me switching from a GRS to a Lindsay Airgraver handpiece is like upgrading from a Ford to a Porsche.

So wait… does that mean you need both systems to be a professional jeweler?

No. Not when you're just starting. Pick your path.

If I could go back to the days of taking on extra client work to build my studio, I’d rethink my purchases.

Instead of splurging on GRS's top-tier air system, I'd start with their entry-level GraverSmith + QC 901 Handpiece —it’s all you need to get the job done.

If you know from the start that hand engraving is your passion and want to specialize in it, consider a Lindsay Airgraver.

Remember: There's no "right" way to start your jewelry-making journey.

The key is to start.

I use both GRS and Lindsay products in my workflow.

Last week was all about GRS—this week, we're diving into tools designed by Steve Lindsay.

•TOOL LIST

Here are some of my favorite tools by Steve Lindsay

1. Lindsay Carbalt™ Square Graver Blanks

   • Hands down, it's my favorite Lindsay product! These square gravers, made from fine-grain carbide and cobalt alloy, are ultra-durable and resist breaking. Sharpen to your preferred geometry and go.

2. Lindsay Airgraver

   • The Porsche of engraving handpieces.

3. Lindsay Graver Sharpening Sets

• I first learned graver sharpening on the West Coast using Lindsay's easy-to-use sharpening templates and stones that follow these steps:

🔳 Fix the graver blank in a plastic guide.

🔳 Move it along bench stones (260–2000 grit).

🔳 Get a perfectly cut "V" angle every time.

• Sounds great, right? It is, but it's VERY time consuming sharpening by hand.

•  Now, I skip the tedious process and use a hone—following a Top Secret Guide by Steve Lindsay.

Want in?…

•THAT’S A WRAP

Before you go…

Now it's your turn—what should we cover next week?

• A step-by-step video on cutting a blank graver using Lindsay's Top Secret Graver Guide with a hone?

• A brand-new jewelry-making topic?

Hit reply and let me know what excites you most! Until then, keep practicing, creating, and telling your brain you can do this!

P.S. Working on something cool? Reply, and I might feature it in the newsletter!