I want to personally thank you for taking the time to visit my page and thank you for showing interest in my work. I am Jesse Kaufman; engraver, checkerer, and stock maker.  
     I know how to stock a firearm with the utmost ability of paying attention to the cornerstone of the work, which is getting the inlet correct.  Once that task is accomplished, the rest of the process is completed in order and with great care.  This process needs repetition to achieve proper function in all aspects of the firearm for many years to come.  I have been enabled to achieve over 1,612 stocked firearms in my body of work at Dakota Arms. 

     I began my path as a stock maker at the age of 25 when my father purchased a small duplicator and a lathe to fill his spare time as he retired.  Together we stocked my first shotgun, an 870 Wingmaster, into a trap configuration stock.  Then we purchased hand checkering tools and checkered my first stock.  Lots of time was spent figuring out how to finish wood, checker, inlet, duplicate, and so on.
     As time went on I applied and was accepted as stockmaker for the world renown gun company, Dakota Arms, in Sturgis, South Dakota.   Here is where I really learned the language of stockmaking.  Through this company I was able to create a large body of work and meet so many amazing craftsman and artisans.  I attended the Safari Club International show seven different times where I was able to meet even more craftsman and artisans that were willing to show me different techniques on how to perform my work. Some of those people were: Gary Goudy, Al Lind, James Tucker, Reto Buehler, David Miller, Curt Crum, and many more too numerous to mention.  They all had some part in the making of what I am.  So grateful to all those people who were willing to take the time.

     While exhibiting stock techniques at one of the Safari Club Conventions one year, I was able to meet various master engravers and witnessed their work first hand. Some took the time to visit with me about what they do and I was so impressed with the art of fine engraving. This was the catalyst that led me to Ray Cover, Master Engraver from Missouri.   I have completed all of my training in the US through Ray Cover's School of Fine Art Engraving including the Beginner's, Intermediate, and most recently a Master class.
     Since then I have been very focused on developing my style of engraving and using the techniques which I learned from Ray Cover to offer more services to my business.  Engraving has become my true calling and passion.
     Over the same period of time, I met one of Germany’s finest engravers, Hendrik Frühauf through the German Gun Collector’s Association.  In short time, Hendrik and I became like brothers through our work and family.  In the summer of 2014, I found myself looking over the shoulder of one of the world’s finest engravers in Hendrik’s shop in Thuringia, Germany.  What an inspiration.  What a friend.  What an experience.
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Is it Kaufman or Kaufmann?
During WWI, my family legally dropped the second "N" but I sign my work with two NNs to honor my German heritage.

​All images © Jesse Kaufman 2023
     Overall I enjoy making a living working with my hands and getting to know the clients and other craftsmen.

     I love supporting my family with what I have been enabled to do with my skills and the never ending Grace and Mercy from God our Father, from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  For it is through Him that I can do these things.  And I find great comfort in knowing that I am enabled by our Heavenly Father to do this work for His Glory and for my benefit.