ScrimShaw ???

[paco97]

I Know this is probably heretical, but was wondering if anyone has used a dremel to do scrimshawing?

 

[Kuckus]

Yes... Lines are much deeper and bolder when cut with the Dremel as opposed to "traditional methods". Be careful because the bit will want to "dance" and the lines are often a disappointment. Before ruining a nice horn, practice with the Dremel on a piece of scrap horn... You'll notice the bit has a tendancy to chatter or "skip". The beauty of the average colonial american powder horn IMHO is the simplicity... A fellow escaping boredom, sitting under a tree, whimsically using the tip of his knife to uniquely personalize his powder horn. Take a look at Scott and Kathy Siblings book on recreating the American Powder horn... Notice the relatively fine lines. Traditional or Dremel, may the horn keep your powder dry! :v

 

[Griz]

It will work if you have a good strong, steady hand but with the thick lines you get, you won't like the results. You will end up with a design that looks like you pencil was very dull and making really wide lines if your are lucky enough to not zip a hole through your horn while your doing it. I would stick to the good ole exacto knife, #11 blade broke off real short for strength, but that's just my .02

 

[longshot47]

Handled carefully, I find that a small ball mill or fine cut, flame shaped burr, mounted in a rotary tool, can be useful for cutting bold, repetitive features -such as engrailing or floral/rococo motifs. As stated, beware the learning curve.
~Longshot

 

[Walks Alone]

Yep... heresy, pure and simple. It might be possible to take shortcuts on many things, but scrimshaw isn't one of them in my opinion. You get what you pay for IOW, in time.

I make my awls from several things (never tried an Xacto) and did my first scrimshawed antler/horn/ivory in the late 60's - off and on since. Still a rank amature, but even so they look pretty good. (just got some hippo and warthog ivory for projects in fact)