CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- If you listen closely you only hear a slight scraping sound and then a louder deadened "ping" at the end of each short hand motion as a sliver of sterling silver flies into the air.  It has to be very quiet though. Thankfully, it's dead silent in this tiny backroom at Morrison Smith Jewelers in the exclusive Myers Park area of Charlotte, N.C. It's so quiet in fact I can hear our Hi-Def camera recording all this.

How I met John Flitton, the highly accomplished hand engraver, is an interesting part of this story.  Even more interesting though is something he told me about his job and the future of his craft as a whole. More on that in a minute. But let me back up and tell you how we got here today.

When my son was born in March we received a few beautiful gifts of sterling silver -- a porringer and spoon. Each had my baby boy's initials engraved on them. My father-in-law, who is an amazing portrait artist, and thus an admirer of fine craftsmanship, marveled at how meticulous the engraving was. I presumed it was done by some fancy computer guided machine. I was surprised to hear him say, "These are done by hand!" He encouraged me to look into it as a possible story suggesting these artisans are a rare breed.

Indeed. He was spot on. 

John Flitton has engraved the Wimbledon trophies! He has engraved personal items for the Queen of England!  (He has a thank you letter framed on his desk signed by the Queen to prove it.)  Once he engraved a gift for Princess Dianna. And now he lives in Charlotte. He is one of only two hand gravers in the city that I could find. He tells me there are a couple in Atlanta, a couple more in Washington, D.C., and a group in New York City. 

A few in each major city. And nothing in between. That's it. Why? Is demand dying out? No. Perhaps computer-driven engraving machines are taking over? Nope. Get this: John Flitton tells me it's that there are no more youngsters who want to learn the trade, and even fewer places that teach it. He told me with a deep sigh in his voice that he would love to teach an apprentice if he could find one!

It requires a great deal of patience, a steady hand and a good eye. And apparently the will to learn something so unique that the trade itself is shriveling up in the U.S.  Anyone want a quiet, good paying job?

If you're interested in having something engraved or want to know more about John, here is John Flitton's e-mail address: engraverbrit@aol.com.

You can find Morrison Smith Fine & Custom Jewelers at 705 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28207. Phone: 704-332-1605. Web: www.morrisonsmith.com.