Scrimshaw attempt

[tunadawg]

Decided to try my hand at some scrimshaw on a horn I made. My hat is definitely off to those that do this all the time. I think I'll leave it to the professionals.

 

[SDSmlf]

Decided to try my hand at some scrimshaw on a horn I made. My hat is definitely off to those that do this all the time. I think I'll leave it to the professionals.

Looks good. Age it a little and it will look like something you would see in museum setting. They weren’t all professional artists back in the day.

 

[Tumbledown]

I think you did just fine. Keep at it!

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I'd pack that horn around, looks good to me.

 

[FlaminCrow]

Looks great.

 

[Brokennock]

I could do worse......



But most likely not better



I think ya done good.

 

[tunadawg]

Looks good. Age it a little and it will look like something you would see in museum setting. They weren’t all professional artists back in the day.

How would I "age" it. Is there a process? Or just normal wear and tear use?

 

[Banjoman]

I’ll age it fer ye. Might take a spell though.

 

[TRow]

I would certainly carry it.

 

[Packrat]

Looks good

 

[FlaminCrow]

How would I "age" it. Is there a process? Or just normal wear and tear use?

You can use yellow/orange dye, or even aquafortis for an antique color. There’s trial and error in both methods as you’re learning.
Nothing wrong with a new looking horn that you carry and add the age with use.

 

[wayne1967]

Decided to try my hand at some scrimshaw on a horn I made. My hat is definitely off to those that do this all the time. I think I'll leave it to the professionals.

I'm trying to do the same at the moment.

 

[Rebel bull]

I'm in the let it age by itself camp. I have never seen one that looked right to me that was stained to look old. I have seen lots of scrimshawed work that was left without any sealer that looked very correct. just my opinion

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Looks good. Age it a little and it will look like something you would see in museum setting. They weren’t all professional artists back in the day.

My opinion, IF you're going to display it, then age it. IF you're going to carry and use it, don't age it. Why would a guy who made and scrimshawed a horn have a horn that looked 100 years old? It's your horn, and totally up to you.

On the other hand IF you were going to hunt near me, with all the Yahoos out and about, I'd probably tell you to age the horn, because that white horn bouncing on your hip in the woods during deer season might draw fire from one or more of the goofballs who label themselves "deer hunters" in my community. I use a plain horn dyed brown for hunting ; my target shooting and living history horn being white.

LD

 

[Dave Marsh]

Get the Sibly book. Will tell you everything you need to do to make a powder horn including the aging process.

 

[Cruzatte]

I think you did a fine job. That's the thing I like about folk art. You just do it.

 

[wayne1967]

Decided to try my hand at some scrimshaw on a horn I made. My hat is definitely off to those that do this all the time. I think I'll leave it to the professionals.

I can't seem to get a deep enough line. I'm pushing pretty hard but after I ink and lightly sand some places don't hardly show up. Like there are harder places in different areas

 

[PathfinderNC]

I can't seem to get a deep enough line. I'm pushing pretty hard but after I ink and lightly sand some places don't hardly show up. Like there are harder places in different areas

What tool(s) do you use?
And yes, horns do have harder and softer places on them.

 

[wayne1967]

What tool(s) do you use?
And yes, horns do have harder and softer places on them.

Made this out of a 1/8” drill bit. It never got hot enough to loose hardness.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Made this out of a 1/8” drill bit. It never got hot enough to loose hardness.

I use a finishing nail, filed with a burr on the tip (it wears down so I need to re-burr at times). Engrave on the pull rather than the push stroke. I get some good depth this way.