Brass Finishing Tools

I first became aware of P & S Engraving when I was a mature student at college back in 1984, I bought my first finishing tool from them. (see catalogue and price list below)

The company was formed in 1980 by Brian Skilton and partner Roy Pettitt. They had both served their apprenticeships and worked together for a local engraving firm from the early sixties.

They were probably the last apprentices to learn the skills of relief engraving from some of the fine craftsman who had worked in the trade since the 1920's.

In recent years they have engraved tools for Mr. Bernard Middleton MBE FSA. Working with him enabled them to fine tune some aspects of their tools which should ease their use and help to produce better results.

Mr. Middleton was kind enough to write a few words on their behalf, an extract of which is published below.

Finishing tool engravers are important to virtually all craft binders, highly competent engravers are very important, and if they happen to be in addition, very friendly, co-operative people one desperately hopes that they will flourish and survive so that they can continue to satisfy our needs.

As one who restores leather bindings and also rebinds early books in period styles, I welcome the inclusion of intaglio hand tools and rolls, a feature I have seen in no other catalogues.

Also new is the straight grain pallet*. Originally, this was used early in the 19th century when the boards of calf-bound books were crushed, one at a time, in a standing press, with straight grain plates, and the pattern needed to be carried over the spine. Now, when ungrained new leather is used to repair the joints, the tool can be heated and impressed across the new leather so that it can be blended with the old.

The slightly domed surfaces of P & S tools is an important feature, especially in the case of the larger tools because it facilitates good contact between the centre of the tool and the leather, it enables rocking of the tool which burnishes the gold, and the resulting slightly concave impression creates aesthetic interest.        B.C.Middleton September 1998

* Page 25 hand tools catalogue.

P & S Engraving were the first engravers to give a domed face to their finishing tools, others have followed suit. Once again they have shown innovation in their straight grain pallet. I have used P & S's tools for many, many years. They get my vote.

Either navigate to the equipment you are interested in via the menu on the left or click the links below. Each page contains a catalogue & price list which can be downloaded and printed out if required.

Please email us to arrange your order. Richard Norman edenworkshops@orange.fr

                          Handle Letters & Type           Decorative Hand Tools

                     Decorative Rolls & Pallets         Type Holders & Various

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edenworkshops@orange.fr