Horn question

[skunkskinner]

This will be my first atempt at scrimshaw ,so here is the history on this horn, and my question. These horns are from the same cow, the one on the left I boiled in tea for 1 1/2 hours to take out the bright white.

What would be the best tool for scrimshaw ?
And what should I use for a stain?
Words are all I intend on doing.
Thanks.

 

[freeonthree]

Check out scrimshaw class in the craftsman form posted by hawken12.
hope it helps

 

[soggy]

You will need; X-acto knife (or similar); 000 fine steel-wool; and India Ink; This and a little patience is all you will need.
Don't forget to post pictures when you're finished
Soggy

 

[AeroncaTAL]

What Soggy said. When you are cutting with the knife, be aware that the horn has hard and soft areas. You'll be cutting a nice line just where ya want it and the knife will slip. Suddenly you will have a line where you don't want it. It will happen. Take her slow and have fun!
Scott

 

[ladysmithtrading]

One thing that i find when doing scrim is to scratch at the top of the apex and if your line goes down the radius move the horn so the knife stays on top of the horn, I seem to have better control on the knife when i keep it on top and over my work, seems everytime I try to cut a line down the side, thats when the oh sh#T happens! Hope this makes sense!

Another thing, I use a #11 exacto blade or scalpel blade for finer lines, snap the front third of the blades off for less flex on them , leads to better control.

 

[mazo kid]

Trace your design-worde in pencil, then coat the finished surface of the horn with paste wax. Use an Exacto knife or carbide scribe to scratch/cut the design in the surface. I use latex paint pigment for rubbing in to the incised lines. If you don't like what you see, just sand it out and start over.

 

[skunkskinner]

Thanks to all for the advice :thumbsup: .
I don't no how I missed that scrim class, but I sure did, thanks.
I have started to scrimshaw today. I will post pictures when I'm done.

Thanks again

 

[skunkskinner]

Very nice tool Walks Alone,
What did you use for the pointy end of it?

 

[Walks Alone]

skunkskinner -

Just about anything the appropriate size from quality steel that will hold an edge and you can harden easily yourself works fine. I've made them out of lots of things. The one in the picture began life as a small German tapper reamer that only had to be ground to shape and stone sharpened, and it holds an edge very well. It has just enough flexibility that it gives a little without breaking or bending no matter how much pressure I put on it. When I scrimshaw antler it needs that ability. Horn is soft and easy to scrim in comparison to antler. Handle is turned from figured Argentine Brown Ebony, which is known for its superior strength and shaped so it can be used like a pencil (I use the off-hand thumb to control the tool hand - works well to avoid mistakes and gives you the same control as signing your name or drawing).

HTH - have fun.

WA

 

[skunkskinner]

I used a #11 exacto blade,it worked real good for me,and india ink. My name turned out plenty dark, but it will do. It turned out better than I was hoping for . I'll put some more on it later, when I no what more I want on it.
Thanks all :hatsoff:

 

[Stumpkiller]

I used a sailmaker's needle and made a paste of blackpowder and boiled linseed oil to rub into the lines for this horn.

The rectangle is a repair. Don't put a wet horn in the microwave to soften it up again when seating the plug. :shake: The the beetles chewed on it in the cellar. :shake: :shake:

At that point I retired it as bad juju and my wife uses to pass around for her Revolutionar War unit at grade school.

 

[skunkskinner]

Stumpkiller,
That is a nice looking deer. After all that work ,it must have been a disapointment.

 

[skunkskinner]

My wife said my skunk looks like a beaver. :shake: Hope she never walks up to one of them "beavers". :grin: