Scrimshawing a Powder Horn

[BJamesBeck]

My powder horns shipped today and am planning to scrimshaw the larger non-priming horn. I was wondering about what knives people use to do this. I have some craft type exacto knives with the interchangeable blades. Would something like that work or do I need to look for something else?

 

[Ames]

I use a pin vise and put a large sewing needle in it. Sharpen the needle often, as in keep the stone oiled and next to you.
Others sharpen the tip of a hardened nail that has been set into a wooden handle.

 

[Brokennock]

I use a pin vise and put a large sewing needle in it. Sharpen the needle often, as in keep the stone oiled and next to you.
Others sharpen the tip of a hardened nail that has been set into a wooden handle.

Nothing wrong with that work right there.

 

[BJamesBeck]

Okay I can do that. I wondered if it needed to be a slightly wider tip than the knives I was talking about. Sounds like thats the case!

 

[Ames]

The knife is great for straight lines and shading cross hatches etc. Needles and nails can be easier to control on contours, and work great on stippling. But you will find what works for you pretty fast. Don't fight it.
Wait till you find out the inside of the curve of the horn tends to be harder than the outside. Great place to have a knife slip beyond the design.

 

[nhmoose]

Having some kind of art ability will help. I after two attempts found I have 0 ability. My sister was an artist, I am not. I however can do period style scratches with no talent same as the original folk did.

It is your horn what it comes out is yours and no one else's. IMHO

 

[BJamesBeck]

I do have some remote artistic ability so I should probably be okay. I guess I was mainly just wondering if they exacto knives would even make a thick enough groove to be visible even when filled with ink it lead/graphite/charcoal. I think I probably will figure out what works pretty quickly though. Thanks guys!

 

[user 48679]

I would respectfully suggest some practicing on the inside of a hard shell clam (shell) first.

https://www.wikihow.com/Scrimshaw
.

 

[BJamesBeck]

Great suggestion! Thanks!

 

[ohio ramrod]

My powder horns shipped today and am planning to scrimshaw the larger non-priming horn. I was wondering about what knives people use to do this. I have some craft type exacto knives with the interchangeable blades. Would something like that work or do I need to look for something else?

 

[ohio ramrod]

I have found that dental picks are a good tool for scratching horns

 

[BJamesBeck]

Oh yeah that's a great idea!

 

[toot]

dental drills are also good, until they take of on you! and there is no stopping them.

 

[RB POWELL]

My powder horns shipped today and am planning to scrimshaw the larger non-priming horn. I was wondering about what knives people use to do this. I have some craft type exacto knives with the interchangeable blades. Would something like that work or do I need to look for something else?

People use all types of implements to scrimshaw. Personally, I think you should buy a tungsten-carbide scriber. They are not expensive, will last for years, and work as designed. I also suggest you purchase one book: Recreating the 18th Century Powderhorn, by Scott & Cathy Sibley. This book will go a long way to help you create quality scrimshaw, and make it easier.

 

[BJamesBeck]

Seems like very good advice, thank you!

 

[RB POWELL]

Seems like very good advice, thank you!

You will not regret the book or the scriber. Enjoy! P.S. there are other really good books out there that will show you things you never thought of. These can come with time.

 

[BJamesBeck]

You will not regret the book or the scriber. Enjoy! P.S. there are other really good books out there that will show you things you never thought of. These can come with time.

Yeah we have quite a few of the books where I work so I'll definitely look at them!

 

[Kev308]

That book is worth its weight in gold!!!

 

[toot]

where can I get a copy of it?

 

[RB POWELL]

where can I get a copy of it?

I think Dixie, and Track carry the book. I'm sure that other BP stores will have it. Should not be hard to locate a seller.