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How I Engrave A Powder Horn

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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
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 

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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.
 
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!
 

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