From flowing, organic forms to intricately crafted geometric structures, John Bisbee, a renowned sculptor based in Maine, transforms an unexpected medium into breathtaking art. His large-scale sculptures, often viewed in prestigious galleries, initially appear as continuous metal forms. A closer look, however, reveals their fascinating reality: Bisbee’s sole sculptural material is nails, meticulously manipulated to achieve his desired artistic expressions.

Bisbee’s work demonstrates an incredible range. Some pieces exude softness, like a delicate, nest-like cluster of nails, while others project sharp, menacing power. The sheer intricacy and precision in each sculpture underscore the immense time, effort, and passion he invests in creating these beautiful works. This deep commitment to detail meant Bisbee required a partner equally obsessed with quality when it came to stamping his art pieces—a crucial step for authenticity and provenance.

Numberall Stamp & Tool Co. eagerly embraced the challenge of providing John Bisbee with durable marking tools capable of leaving a permanent, crisp impression on his unique nail sculptures. The solution needed to be precise enough to fit intricate designs, yet robust enough to withstand repetitive use on metal.

“Five years ago, I ordered my first set of steel type,” Bisbee shares. “This was a revolution—the almost instantaneous ability to stamp my work with time, date, name, place.”

Numberall’s custom steel type, which Bisbee primarily relies on, is engineered for superior accuracy, strength, and perfect alignment. Crafted from high-grade tool steel, each piece undergoes a precision heat-treatment process. This specialized hardening ensures it can withstand severe industrial usage and maintain its integrity over countless impressions, a testament to its long-term durability.

“The steel type and type holder are of the highest quality,” Bisbee affirms. “Over the years, I’ve stamped tens of thousands of objects without any degradation of the text.”

Beyond his custom steel type, Bisbee also incorporates Numberall’s hand stamps. These are constructed from high-impact tool steel, meticulously heat-treated and tempered for hard, continuous use and an extended operational life. Their design effectively resists chipping even from repeated hammer blows—a critical feature for a sculptor applying thousands of marks.

“Recently, the amazing folks at Numberall have designed hand stamps that print backwards type,” Bisbee notes. “Which we have been using with great success to create our own dies for serial printing.” This innovative application highlights Numberall’s custom engineering capabilities in solving specific client needs, demonstrating the versatility of our manual marking tools.

Recent Posts