scrimshaw help

[coloradoclyde]

I’m thinking about giving scrimshaw a try. Wondering what I could use for a scribe and ink (black)?
Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[suzkat]

Find an old graver and sharpen it to a very fine point. Really any sharp point with a handle that is comfortable will work. Try black shoe polish, its not PC but a lot nicer to work with than ink or paint.

 

[MSW]

I've used the classic India Ink (any drafting or stationery supply place ought to carry it) ... this works OK, but can get very messy in a big hurry, especially if you have small children or rambunctious kitties - -don't ask me how I know ...

I've also used felt tip magic markers (don't tell anyone) ... you'll have to scrape off the 'over spray' and then coat with bowling alley wax or a similar finish ...

good luck with your project!

 

[ohio ramrod]

dental picks make nice tools for scratching on horns. :idunno:

 

[billk]

I use india ink and a sailor's needle that I have inserted in a wooden dowel the thickness of a pen.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Sailor's needle and a paste made of black powder and a little water.

 

[omarick1948]

I like an Exactor knife with a #11 blade and about 1/8 to 1/4 inch of the pointed tip broke off.
For darkening the engraving I use charcoal dust with a bit of linseed oil mix in it.

Works for me!

Rick

 

[Rick Son]

Rick have you always been artistic in drawing and such and transfered that to your horn making,i can't even draw a streight line,i get ideas just can't get them on paper or canvas.

 

[omarick1948]

Just research,trial and error, practice and practice!

 

[coloradoclyde]

My first attempt ever at scrimshaw. I have the artistic ability of a 3 toed tree sloth, I cant even draw decent stick people.



I was going to make a scribe from a broken leather needle but it is to damm cold outside to work in the shop. I used my vent pick instead. For black I used Tung oil and a piece of charred punkwood.
Howd I do?

 

[omarick1948]

Kind of out of focus, but looks pretty good!

 

[coloradoclyde]

Ya. I took the picture with my cell phone and was leaning to stay out of the light and not cast a shadow. I did it in a hurry.

 

[Mongo40]

Ok, I'm going to let out a secret here an show what I use to scrim with, I've tried everything at this point, just about, exactos, piano wire sharpened in a dowel rod, all kinds of little scratchers but I've come up with a tool that works best for me, the handle is an exacto product from hobby lobby, I then purchased some of Collter precision tips off ebay, I think that's the name anyway, been awhile, then the little jelly things that kids use on pens an pencils, slid them up on the tool for something to grab onto, works great for me anyway.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Holy Mackerel! you are way,way,way out of my league. that's fine art for sure. That's the kinda stuff guys like me dream of.
Thanks for sharing :thumbsup:

 

[Mongo40]

Clyde thanks but those aren't my first attempts at scrimping, my first attempts weren't far off from yours don't be intimidated by it, it gets easier the more you do! I started with just basic shapes myself, you dove right in there doing that squirrel, not bad at all.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Thanks!
I wasn't kidding about not being able to draw stick people, I even surpised myself.

 

[Swede50]

I like the squil on the stump.
Can you post a clearer pic.
I bought a book on horn makin but havent gave it a try yet.

 

[Peter LeRay]

Go to a art supply store. Buy a medium gray Faber Castell Pitt artist pen. It has a fine brush tip and is India ink.Works fantastic! !!

 

[MSW]

looks like a 'quirrel on a stump to me ... as regards being able to draw decent stick figures ...

as opposed to indecent stick figures?

hey - let's keep thing "g" rated ...

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

 

[Pete G]

If you look at some of the examples on old horns you will see some figures that are not much more than stick people. Don't forget that most of the guys "back in the day" were not accomplished artists either.