How I Engrave A Powder Horn

[hawkenhunter50]

Very nice work. Are you self taught or did you take a class on how to do this?

 

[Josh Canuck]

I love it! Man you're talented! I wish I could be haalf as good.

 

[rmefbowhunter]

Wonderful tutorial, Bob! It is true gift to the community that you share both your artistry and your methodology so we can all learn and better appreciate all that goes into creating a work of art.

 

[TDM]

Amazing work @PathfinderNC, beautiful.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Very nice work. Are you self taught or did you take a class on how to do this?

Thanks- Just self-taught, trial and error kinda thing.

 

[oldschoolhunter55]

Here are some photos to share my approach to designing and engraving a Powder Horn. Note how the design changes a bit as I move along with the process.
After shaping the horn I did the borders and established where my drawing panels would go.
Then, like a primed canvas I was ready to work.
This is a flat horn so it’s a little easier to draw and scribe on than round horns, for me.

work of art

 

[PathfinderNC]

Were power horns as spectacular as what you make common back in the day?

Oh lord mine are like chicken scratch in comparison to a whole, whole lot !

 

[FLTaft1948]

Not only is the technical aspect (skill) wonderful, but the characters are so animated... you can feel their excitement and anticipation. So much is conveyed in those thin black lines.
I want to jump in and go with 'em!

Me too!

 

[FLTaft1948]

Well you may not be a Master, but you are definitely way ahead of the rest of the pack
Beautiful work,

Amen, brother, AMEN!

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Bob, doing the engraving and putting the ink or whatever you want to use as color is one thing but to do the actual art work that you are so good at is the other! You are an artist and it shows so well in the work you do, congratulations on another great piece!
Rich

 

[Percy]

Amazing work, love the characters. Thanks for sharing.

 

[45man]

Nothing to add but AWESOME!

 

[ColonialRifleSmith]

Here are some photos to share my approach to designing and engraving a Powder Horn. Note how the design changes a bit as I move along with the process.
After shaping the horn I did the borders and established where my drawing panels would go.
Then, like a primed canvas I was ready to work.
This is a flat horn so it’s a little easier to draw and scribe on than round horns, for me.

You do a good job. I can't write my name straight, much less draw a picture like that. Semper Fi.

 

[PathfinderNC]

The “off-side” of the horn is completed. I am adding more pictures that may better show how the process of 1) drawing the image, 2) engraving the lines, and 3) filling them in with ink.
Final step will be to add some color to the horn, using dye, and then paste wax to seal it up.

 

[tiklikker]

this is what my attempt at drawing would look like .
View attachment 290370

Is that "Golden Age" or more like FIW?

 

[Norman Brooks]

That is way cool. How many horns have you done? My people and animals would be stick figures.

 

[RB POWELL]

Here are some photos to share my approach to designing and engraving a Powder Horn. Note how the design changes a bit as I move along with the process.
After shaping the horn I did the borders and established where my drawing panels would go.
Then, like a primed canvas I was ready to work.
This is a flat horn so it’s a little easier to draw and scribe on than round horns, for me.

Very nice. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[BIGBEAR]

Very nice. Thanks for the pictures.

That is some awesome work , very talented …

 

[PathfinderNC]

After some small detailing, I rub the surface with some paper towels to get any surface oil off the horn. After that I used a water based alkaline dye that I mix and wipe it on the horn, allowing it to dry.
*** Be sure you have used a Waterproof India Ink in your scrimshawing ***
I then rubbed out most of the color to get an to amber tone. Then several applications of Paste Wax. This seals the horn and fills in the lines and actually cleans and sharpens the inked lines. Some buffing and we’re done!

 

[garypl]

Another beautiful job - always look forward to seeing your new designs!