Scrimshawing Help

[vthompson]

I need some advise, if I get myself a powder horn and scrimshaw it and I use India ink to fill in the lines with, what do I do to clean up the ink on the outside of the lines? Thank's for your help.

 

[soggy]

Here's what I do............ I usually apply the india ink with a small brush, making sure that all lines are filled in and as can be expected I manage to get plenty outside the lines. Once the ink dries (couple of minutes ) I then go over the area I'm working on with 000 steel wool. All the ink except that which went into the cuts will be removed.
That's why it's important to make sure your horn is very smooth before you start scrimshawing.......otherwise the ink will remain in those nasty unwanted scratches also.
Others may use different methods but this is what works for me
Soggy

 

[lonehunter]

I CANT draw, Has anybody ever used carbon paper to transfer a image to a horn? Will it stick? :v

 

[BadHeart]

Yes you can use carbon paper on horn, I have a few times

 

[soggy]

I CANT draw, Has anybody ever used carbon paper to transfer a image to a horn? Will it stick? :v

All the time! works for me.I usually use a small piece of scotch tape to hold the carbon paper and pattern in place.

 

[vthompson]

Here's what I do............ I usually apply the india ink with a small brush, making sure that all lines are filled in and as can be expected I manage to get plenty outside the lines. Once the ink dries (couple of minutes ) I then go over the area I'm working on with 000 steel wool. All the ink except that which went into the cuts will be removed.
That's why it's important to make sure your horn is very smooth before you start scrimshawing.......otherwise the ink will remain in those nasty unwanted scratches also.
Others may use different methods but this is what works for me
Soggy

Thank's for the information Soggy, that is what I needed to know.

 

[Hawken12]

Hey welcome to the club...been scrimmin for 30 yr or so.Depends on whether you have protected yer drawing...as to takin off the excess ink,depends on what kind a detail yer puttin ,simple lines and once off ,4 Ott steel wool is fine ,but iff'n yer into more than one inking ,then spit on a cloth is way the best ,better than water ,got somethinb in it (enzmes,whatever works better than water outta the tap.Easy to see the best ,do a practice piece .the steel wool if used too often will round out your sharp edges an take the ink out .
Good for a one cut deal tho

 

[Pete G]

I use a brown Sharpie to fill the cuts and steel wool to polish off the excess.

 

[omarick1948]

Here's a couple of other ways to help with your engraving. The surface of your horn needs to be sanded with fine grit sandpaper. Start with 320 and sand with finer grits to 400. Then hand polish with #0000 steel wool. Wet the horn surface and look for tiny scratches in a natural light. I draw directly on the horn with a No.6 HB pencil and use a good pink eraser until I get my drawing the way I want it. I don't like to use carbon paper, as I think it turns an art into a tracing craft. I see no problem using printed drawings and photo's for drawing aids, but you have to be aware of copyright laws etc. too!

If you look at some of the ol originals. You will see some pretty crude art work, but that crudeness adds character and originality reflection of it's maker. Remember! Powder horns were a tool first!

Rick

 

[vthompson]

I want to thank everyone that responded to my question. You guy's have given me a wealth of information and I really appreciate it. I am just thankful that I can come back and look at all of the post's if I run into a problem or if I just want to refresh my memory.Thanks again guy's,

vthompson

 

[lonehunter]

I agree about turning art into a tracing craft.
but some of us cant draw a line in the sand :redface: If I had half of the gift that some on this forum have i would be happy :bow: :v