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Author Topic: Scrimshaw tools?  (Read 8525 times)

Offline Tony N

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Scrimshaw tools?
« on: March 01, 2015, 08:09:50 PM »
I'm asking for a little help, what is the best tool for scrimshawing a horn.  I've been using a small knife and a sharp punch. For lack of a better word! None of my work matches the crisp and clear work that I see here and other places.
I can draw just fine in pencil on the horn, it's after that....
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Tony
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Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2015, 08:12:45 PM »
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Offline Robby

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2015, 08:50:52 PM »
T, When I first started this kind of thing I made my own tools from concrete nails. You can see I have two different points, one to scratch with, and another shaped much like a skew chisel that I use for scratching wider lines, and even low relief carving.


I usually end up with a combination of both skrimshaw and low relief carving.




I'm sure there are better tools that are easier to work with but this is what I am used to. Hope this helps a bit.
Robby
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molon labe
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Offline Tony N

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2015, 09:16:27 PM »
It does, I've got a lot of that material laying around. I'll give it a try.

Thank you!
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Offline mab7

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2015, 09:46:44 PM »
Not to hijack the thread but, Holy Mother of God those horns are BEAUTIFUL !!!
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Offline Marcruger

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2015, 11:46:15 PM »
Pretty close to what I thought.  Oooooh.  Wow. 
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seesbirds

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2015, 12:01:33 AM »
I use points from Charles Coulter at Coulter Precision Points.  I turned a couple of penshaped handles and the points slip into the end of them.  For lines that have to be absolutely straight, I use a very tiny xacto knife whose tip I have reshaped for better control. 

...And, Robby, those horns are exquisite.
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Offline Longshot

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2015, 02:58:33 PM »
.....Speechless!
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Offline Robby

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2015, 03:00:34 PM »
Thank you fellows, very much appreciated.
Robby
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molon labe
We the people are the rightful masters of both Congress and the courts, not to overthrow the Constitution but to overthrow the men who pervert the Constitution. A. Lincoln

Vomitus

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2015, 05:07:52 AM »
  Not too shabby there Robby! That is pretty fine @!*% work! Need any projects? lol!
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Offline sonny

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #10 on: March 04, 2015, 08:08:08 PM »
I'm starting to believe that the people that do the ,"Drop dead gorgeous" horns, are not from planet earth..... I think they .....Of the third kind"""".....sonny
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Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2015, 09:15:23 PM »
Wow, those are great horns Robby.  If only, my eyes, mind and hands would work that way.
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Offline davec2

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2015, 03:41:28 AM »
Tools I use for ivory and horn







The horn is mounted fore and aft with sterling silver bands and strap swivels. The stopper is turned from ebony and the horn tip has a brass liner that prevents splitting.  The base plug is turned walnut and is fitted with a threaded, wooden cascabel for easy filling.  The engraved nautical chart is of the Chesapeake Bay area around Annapolis and is taken (including the antiquated spelling) from a map made of the area in November of 1769.










« Last Edit: February 21, 2020, 10:23:44 AM by davec2 »
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Offline Tony N

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2015, 07:57:25 PM »
Some more beautiful work!!!  Very nice!
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rooster

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Re: Scrimshaw tools?
« Reply #14 on: March 06, 2015, 03:30:43 PM »
Both of you do terrific work! Could Davec identify the tools inthe photo?
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