The burnisher (Fig. 12) is used for rubbing the proof off after inking the
block. Steel is best, but bone will do, or the back of a teaspoon, using
the bowl as a handle.
A supply of boxwood, proofing ink, an oilstone for sharpening tools and
some paper for taking proofs will be necessary. The paper must be thin
(India paper being the best) as it is very difficult to take a proof on
thick paper.
The table or the bench where the work is to be done must always be firm.
The craftsman should not be unduly bending over the work, but should be as
upright as possible, the height of bench and chair being adjusted to
enable the worker to see the engraving without either eye-strain or
rounding of the back and shoulders. Be comfortable when at work.
See that the tools are sharp before commencing work. If sharp the point
will always grip or “bite” when loosely “run” across the wood; if blunt it
will slide over. Always use a spare piece of boxwood when testing tools.
The face of the tool only must be sharpened (see Fig. 1). On no account
must the sharpening be done from the underneath or belly part of the tool.
Avoid bearing too much on the point; it is a quick method of sharpening,
but the angle of the face will gradually become more upright and the tool
will not cut through the wood easily. An angle of 45° is about right.
Sharpen by rubbing the face of the tool up and down the length of the
oilstone. Any lubricating oil will serve for the stone.