Edward S. Stehman first filed a patent application (no. 189,591) for this item in 1880. It was not until August 31, 1886, that the patent (no. 348,299) was granted—an unusually long time to wait for a validation. It is interesting to note that during those six years, there were no less than four other patents granted which, in some way, showed a similarity to the unique application Stehman claimed. There was no infringement, however, since the engraving vise concept is universal. It must have sufficient mass to prevent shifting while fine work is done (some units weighed upwards of 30 lbs), there must be a provision for clamping various sized items using a graduated screw or wedge system on a master top plate (hence the accessory kit) and there must be an effortless ability to rotate the upper section, allowing for the manipulation of a graver or other tool in a controlled manner. In some cases, a thrust bearing was employed to achieve this fluidity. Some units also had a spherical base to allow for tilting the actual vise. When constructed in this manner, a leather ring was used to hold the base stationary in the horizontal plane.

• Carving Found Wood
   
• Using Plow Planes
   
• Sheet Goods: Putting Them In Their Place
   
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