scrimshaw Dye

[NORD]

Hello everyone!

I am thinking about trying my hand at making a powder horn. I have used flasks since I started muzzleloading and think it might be easier to carry a horn while hunting...plus I think it might be lots of fun to make my own horn along with some scrimshaw.

My main question here is what do you all use for a dye when you scrimshaw?

Thank you for your time.

 

[Deerstalker]

Hey, Nord.
You may want to check out a book that Track of the Wolf sells called "Recreating the 18th Century Powder Horn". My wife got it for me for Christmas, and it is wonderful. Uses a different method of staining the scrim than India ink, and looks a WHOLE lot better, in my opinion. The book gives very detailed instructions on building a horn from start to finish with a minimum of tools, and only costs 20 bucks!
Hope this helps,
Bryan

 

[NORD]

Hey thanks for the book idea.

 

[Norskie]

Dirt is probably the most common thing they used to make the lines show, back in the day. Try soot.

 

[Bob Riegl]

:hmm: Many Horners tend to use RIT dyes for colouration and India Ink for the Scrimshaw. :hatsoff:

 

[NORD]

If you use soot then do you seal the horn after you ar done filling your scrimshaw with soot?

 

[NORD]

:hmm: Many Horners tend to use RIT dyes for colouration and India Ink for the Scrimshaw. :hatsoff:

Hmmmm....how do you get a hold of India ink...sounds messy to me

 

[Black Hand]

India ink from the craft store or blackpowder moistened with water will work to fill in your lines. After you are done, seal the surface with wax.
Black Hand

 

[soggy]

Quote"My main question here is what do you all use for a dye when you scrimshaw?"
.

Hi Nord;
I've used several different types of colouring to do the scrimshaw on my horns, I think one of the first ones that I did was with black powder mixed with powder solvent to form a paste. I've used India ink which worked great, right now I,ve got a small bottle of "Higgins" eternal permanent black ink and that's doing a good job. I picked it up at a stationary shop, the clerk said it was used by calligraphers to do their fancy writing.
After I fill in the etching on the horn I let the ink dry for a few minutes, then I use a very fine steel wool to clean up the horn. After I have removed all the excess ink I apply a coat of paste wax, let it dry and then buff it.
It has been pointed out in other posts in this thread that the book "Recreating the 18th Century Powder horn" which is available at TOTW is a real good book to have. I agree with this whole heartly, I picked that book up when it was first offered, and would recommend it to anyone interested in making horns. It'll be the best $20.00 you ever spent.
Soggy

 

[LRB]

I use permanent markers. Wipe the excess off before it sets.

 

[Walks Alone]

I've always made my own from bone charcoal and vinegar, rub it in with a finger, clean up any excess with a wet clotch, then hand rub with a little beeswax. Have horn, antler and ivory items I scrimshawed nearly 40 years ago that still look as good as when first made. Even the high use items have never needed a redo.

 

[rebuse]

I don't use India Ink. I rub in a coat or two of Dark Walnut Min-Wax stain over the whole horn...this is after I've completed the dying process with RIT (Dark Brown for the nossel and Tan/Sunset Orange for the body). I think the dark brown in the lettering and lines, has a more natural look then the black. Here's an example.

It might not be as bright, but when you're trying to get an aged look, it's not going to be as bright...the Stain also helps to give the horn an aged look as well.

Preacher :hatsoff:

 

[longshot47]

If your question is; what material can be used to highlight [dye] scrim?; you might try artists oil color [the pasty stuff in tubes].
Once you have your horn color worked out, select a tone to compliment [or contrast] that. Burnt umber, lamp black or some blend thereof fits most needs. I daub it into the lines with a stiff little brush and rub out the excess [the careful rub-out can contribute a few generations of use to the horn].
~Longshot

 

[2172]

I use India ink and a caligrapher's pen...i've tried ball pen ink, homemade ink with black powder residue and a jell pen's ink...while they all work to one degree or another, the India ink and pen nib work best for me...I seal the horn with Johnson's paste wax, before and after scrimshawing...Hank

 

[NORD]

Thank you very much for all the replies! You have been a great help!

 

[pml]

the book is a good investment,
though i used permanent marker for my first,
they use a walnut dye, the grooves pick up moor of the dye while antiqing your horn.
with so many people antiqin thier horns ...
did anyone have new horns in the old days? :hmm: