Scrimshaw engraving questions

[Scout]

I just read the excellent tutorial on this site about horn engraving. My question is to get started what tools will I need ( did the common man have) and what dye is used to make the lines stand out? I'm looking to make my horn more like a soldier or militiaman might have engraved it in the field instead of the nice exotic designs of something that was maybe done in someones home.

Thanks,
Skip

[The Original Griz]

All I use is an exacto knife with a #11 blade broke off real short. Draw on what ever you want and then scratch all the lines in with the knife. I dob on Black water proof india ink with a Q-Tip and use steel wool to take off the excess. As for dyes, I mainly use Rit dye found in grocery store for your clothing. I use several different recipes, but all of them use sunshine yellow and cocoa brown or black.

[seesbirds]

Skip,

I dare say that you'll get lot's of advice on what tools to use and how to blacken the lines.  I use everything from a reshaped xacto knife to points made out of old dental drills depending on what I'm doing.  I've used everything from soot to charcoal dust mixed with linseed oil to darken the lines and have settled on etchers ink.  It's like very thick oil paint.  A little goes a long way, you can't spill it (always a bonus) and it cleans up readily with dry paper towels.

I've also found it is much more fade resistant than india ink.  My advice, try everything.  In my experience your work will evolve as will your tools until you find your comfort spot.

Mark

[The Original Griz]

Skip, have settled on etchers ink.  It's like very thick oil paint.  A little goes a long way, you can't spill it (always a bonus) and it cleans up readily with dry paper towels.
Mark

I have been tossing around the idea of using this, how long for it to dry and can you dye the horn AFTER you put your etchers ink on the horn, will it stay in or do you dye your horn before your ink is applied?

see old scout, I have been making horns since 1994 and I am still changing the way I do things, Like Mark said, your work evolves and you will find what works best. I still do not care for the india ink clean up and that is after 16 years....

[seesbirds]

Tim,

There is no "drying time" with etchers ink.  You can rub it into the scratches and it will stay there without smearing.  I don't usually dye my horns but I did the last one, AFTER it was engraved, and found that I had to go back over some of the fine detail and re-ink it.  Chances are pretty good that most scratches are going to be deeper than some of the dots I often use to build up and image so if you're scratchin', you probably won't have much of a problem.

Mark

[Black Hand]

I just read the excellent tutorial on this site about horn engraving. My question is to get started what tools will I need ( did the common man have) and what dye is used to make the lines stand out? I'm looking to make my horn more like a soldier or militiaman might have engraved it in the field instead of the nice exotic designs of something that was maybe done in someones home.

Thanks,
Skip

I use a vent-pick and colorant made from black powder and saliva....

[smorrison]

Skip, I've tried and used a variety of tools for engraving; xacto blades, scribes and modified  knives.  I don't believe that there is "one" tool for engraving, as different tools will give you different results.  As others have suggested, try different tools and find the ones that work for you.  Personally, I use a modified knife, with the front of the blade cut at a forward angle of 10 degrees or so.  This angle allows you to hold the knife with the tip vertical to your work.  This way you are pressing straight down and can better see the lines you are cutting.  I've also found that a knife will make a cleaner cut than other tools.

Scott

[davec2]

I think you will find, if you try cutting with different tools, that many things will work for you.  Here is an assortment of tools I use for scrimshaw work on horn, bone, and ivory.  For many years, I did most of the work with a very large sail maker's needle (second from the right) stoned to very sharp triangular tip (it cuts easily in any direction.)  The other tools are used to make bolder or finer lines.  Conventional gravers, scribes, and surgical scalpels are all very useful, although some work better in horn than in whale or elephant ivory.  Try anything like these that is sharp.  You may find something that works better than the tool / handle you are looking for.  However, the 4th tool from the right is an aluminum handle with a collet arrangement at the tip to hold 3/32 " diameter dental burs.  It can be had from jewelry supply houses.



Cutting done with a graver and scalpel on horn:



Cutting done with sail maker's needle on whale ivory:

[Tim Crosby]

 I am not a carver so I will leave the question to the guys here who have answered and who know what they are talking about.
 And I Don't mean to change the subject of the thread but Dang Dave, Really nice work.

 Tim C.

[Scout]

DaveC2,
your work is awesome and that description does not do it justice. Your skill and artistic talent is unrivaled IMHO.

I realize that one has to crawl prior to walking upright and I can only hope that my first try at it can at least rival a 2nd graders talent.

[davec2]

Ole Scout,

If you can draw what you want with a pencil, you can easily learn to cut it with whatever tool suits you.  If you can't draw to your own satisfaction, I highly recommend getting a copy of "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain", by Betty Edwards.  They go on Amazon, used, for as little as $1.  I have the 1989 version.  Huge help in learning to draw and developing the self confidence to draw.

[Mike R]

I started scrimshawing on ivory and found that a coarse needle or fine awl worked very well on that material, however, such tools are more difficult to use on cowhorn and that is why many recommend using exacto knives and the like.  My arthritus has limited my skills these days, but I still do an occasional horn...also on well-polished ivory one can ink the surface first and "draw" on the inked part, then re-ink and scrub off the background--this does not work well on surfaces with small scratches and pits.  On most horns, for example, I draw on the bare surface, then ink.  I typically use black india ink.

[black ed]

My first scrimed powder horn was built about 30 or more years ago. It is fairly heavly scrimmed with a fair amount of "writing on it. I used spit and rubbed my fingers over it until I got the "black lined look that I wanted. I has never had any ink applied and the lines ar as black today as when I rubbed them in years ago.
No fading, no clean up and no ink.
If you want to see a photo ar to let met know.
Ed

[Dphariss]

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2001789/3955/Chip-Carving-Knife.aspx

I used one of these during Cathy and Scott Sibley's horn class at Wyoming Armory in Cody WY.
It worked really well and Cathy said she was going to try using one.


Dan

[Scout]

I want to thank all of you for all of your helpful information and inspiration.

I will take some pics after I get started and keep you posted on my progress.

Skip

[Scout]

  I've used everything from soot to charcoal dust mixed with linseed oil to darken the lines and have settled on etchers ink.  It's like very thick oil paint.  A little goes a long way, you can't spill it (always a bonus) and it cleans up readily with dry paper towels.

I've also found it is much more fade resistant than india ink.  My advice, try everything.  In my experience your work will evolve as will your tools until you find your comfort spot.

Mark

Mark, I went online and found the etchers ink...............many types and brands. Which one do you use? 

I started "scratchin" and so far it looks well................OK for a first timer but then again it's not suppose to look like a modern art masterpiece.

Lots of work to go, this is very TIME CONSUMING but I'm lovin it ! 

I'll post pics as I progress ( thats pushin it ! ).



Thanks for your help again.

Skip

[seesbirds]

Skip,

I bought mine from Dick Blick.  Here's a link to the page: http://www.dickblick.com/products/graphic-chemical-and-ink-finest-ground-etching-inks/

I've used the same tube for at least two years and I ink my work hundreds of times in the course of making an image.  A little goes a long way. 

Post your photos, we'd like to see your work.

Regards,

Mark