Barry Lee Hands, The Engraver, creates masterworks of the engraving arts and searches out inspiration around the globe. He has pursued his studies of art history and engraving techniques in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Central America, and South America. He is recognized as one of the best engravers in the world.
Innovation
The Barry Lee Hands signature style includes sculpted gold work that is unique and recognizable worldwide. Decades of experience combined with his innovative approach to design have culminated in his most notable innovations, some of which are listed here.
Learn more about his unique offerings under the 'Services' page of this website.
History
Barry's engraving journeys have brought him into contact with many of the world’s most respected engravers.
The beginning of his journey was an apprenticeship as a western bright cut engraver at Gist Engravers in California. While in the employ of Gary Gist, Barry learned the skills required to master the hand-pushed engraving tool under the tutelage of Ethan Jacczak. He then spent some time working and teaching at Silver State Silver in Sparks, Nevada, and it was during that time that Barry's work was displayed in the Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. By 1987, Barry accepted a position in Montana where he worked with and learned from Colt factory engravers Steve Huff and Colt Master Engraver Dan Goodwin. In 1991, Barry formed his own firm, Barry Lee Hands Engraving, and began work as a freelance gun and knife engraver. Barry became a vendor to the Winchester and Colt Custom shops, and C Sharps Arms Co., represented GRS/GLENDO at trade shows, and instructed engraving students at GRS and Ithaca Gun Company. Barry continues to offer instruction and private lessons may be arranged (please see the 'Contact' page). Barry received Master Engraver status from the Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) in 1996.
Barry has displayed for many years at FEGA’s Gun Engravers Show where he has earned numerous honors for his work. In the years since, Barry has engraved for a veritable Who’s Who of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild including Jerry Fisher, Gary Goudy, Lee Helgelund, and Steve Heilmann. In the early 2000’s, Barry began a close friendship with renowned engraver Steve Lindsay who mentored Barry on the art of knife engraving.
In 2006, Barry undertook a five-week study of the ancient arts of the Near East in Egypt, with further study in Greece, Italy, and Great Britain. Along the way, he made the observations which led to his re-discovery of the ancient techniques of ornamental design used by the Greeks and Romans. He visited with many of the great engravers of Italy and England including Fracassi, Torcoli, Pedersoli, Pedretti, Terzi, and Ken Hunt.
Leadership
Barry is honored to serve as President of his trade organization, the Firearm Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) since 2012. With visionary thinking for the future of FEGA and strong leadership, he secured FEGA a strategic position in the Las Vegas trade show calendar which massively increased traffic to the Annual Gun Engravers Show. Under his leadership, FEGA instituted a program of outreach shows whereby FEGA has more exposure to a culturally and geographically diverse public around the world. In addition, FEGA officers implemented an international program that contemporized the master status application process so that international engravers may now apply via email.
While always generous in sharing knowledge with his peers, Barry takes a particular interest in helping and mentoring members of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America. It may behoove aspiring engravers to join FEGA as Barry is particularly helpful to the new members who seek his advice on engraving techniques and business practices.
In addition, Barry has also donated his time to organizations such as Wounded Warrior, The Knifemakers Guild, The Light of Hope Cancer Foundation, The National Rifle Association, and the American Custom Gunmakers Guild.
Innovation
The Barry Lee Hands signature style includes sculpted gold work that is unique and recognizable worldwide. Decades of experience combined with his innovative approach to design have culminated in his most notable innovations, some of which are listed here.
- Burnished Blade
- Burnished Gold
- Black Satin Background
- Gilded Jade
- Gilded Pearl
- Hard-Set Diamonds
- Inductive & Deductive Layouts
- Pavé Gold Overlay
Learn more about his unique offerings under the 'Services' page of this website.
History
Barry's engraving journeys have brought him into contact with many of the world’s most respected engravers.
The beginning of his journey was an apprenticeship as a western bright cut engraver at Gist Engravers in California. While in the employ of Gary Gist, Barry learned the skills required to master the hand-pushed engraving tool under the tutelage of Ethan Jacczak. He then spent some time working and teaching at Silver State Silver in Sparks, Nevada, and it was during that time that Barry's work was displayed in the Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. By 1987, Barry accepted a position in Montana where he worked with and learned from Colt factory engravers Steve Huff and Colt Master Engraver Dan Goodwin. In 1991, Barry formed his own firm, Barry Lee Hands Engraving, and began work as a freelance gun and knife engraver. Barry became a vendor to the Winchester and Colt Custom shops, and C Sharps Arms Co., represented GRS/GLENDO at trade shows, and instructed engraving students at GRS and Ithaca Gun Company. Barry continues to offer instruction and private lessons may be arranged (please see the 'Contact' page). Barry received Master Engraver status from the Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) in 1996.
Barry has displayed for many years at FEGA’s Gun Engravers Show where he has earned numerous honors for his work. In the years since, Barry has engraved for a veritable Who’s Who of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild including Jerry Fisher, Gary Goudy, Lee Helgelund, and Steve Heilmann. In the early 2000’s, Barry began a close friendship with renowned engraver Steve Lindsay who mentored Barry on the art of knife engraving.
In 2006, Barry undertook a five-week study of the ancient arts of the Near East in Egypt, with further study in Greece, Italy, and Great Britain. Along the way, he made the observations which led to his re-discovery of the ancient techniques of ornamental design used by the Greeks and Romans. He visited with many of the great engravers of Italy and England including Fracassi, Torcoli, Pedersoli, Pedretti, Terzi, and Ken Hunt.
Leadership
Barry is honored to serve as President of his trade organization, the Firearm Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) since 2012. With visionary thinking for the future of FEGA and strong leadership, he secured FEGA a strategic position in the Las Vegas trade show calendar which massively increased traffic to the Annual Gun Engravers Show. Under his leadership, FEGA instituted a program of outreach shows whereby FEGA has more exposure to a culturally and geographically diverse public around the world. In addition, FEGA officers implemented an international program that contemporized the master status application process so that international engravers may now apply via email.
While always generous in sharing knowledge with his peers, Barry takes a particular interest in helping and mentoring members of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America. It may behoove aspiring engravers to join FEGA as Barry is particularly helpful to the new members who seek his advice on engraving techniques and business practices.
In addition, Barry has also donated his time to organizations such as Wounded Warrior, The Knifemakers Guild, The Light of Hope Cancer Foundation, The National Rifle Association, and the American Custom Gunmakers Guild.