Kaivertimet

Kaivertimet is a Finnish term that can refer to two related concepts: the engravers themselves (the people who carve designs) and the tools used in engraving. The word is commonly encountered in discussions of metalwork, printmaking, jewelry, and signmaking, where both the craftsperson and the implements play a central role.

As a technique, engraving involves incising a design into a hard surface by removing material with sharp tools. Traditional hand engraving uses burins or gravers to cut lines into materials such as metal plates, wood blocks, or stone. In printmaking, the incised lines hold ink and are pressed onto paper to produce images or text (intaglio printing). Engraving can also refer to decorative incisions on objects or inscriptions on monuments and seals.

Historically, engraving has deep roots in European art and craft. In Finnish context, engravers have contributed to areas such as decorative arts, heraldry, and jewelry, and the practice has been sustained through specialized workshops and education. The craft has evolved from purely manual techniques to incorporate modern methods while retaining traditional skills.

Today kaivertimet encompasses both traditional hand engraving and contemporary methods such as laser, CNC, or electric engraving. The term remains relevant in museums, art studios, and industries that rely on precise incising and marking, reflecting both the artistic and functional facets of engraving.