Whale Bone

[Christine]

Has anyone carved a whale bone? A friend sent me a vertebrae from Barrow, Alaska and I am nervous about cutting it up. My plan is to cut it into manageable size pieces and carve them, but I'm not sure what to use on it. Can I cut it with a band saw? Do I need to use power to carve it? Any ideas out there?
Thank You,
Christine

[Bill]

Sounds like a good challenge, no reason why a band saw won't cut bone.
And power would be a must, also dust protection. What type a projects do you have in mind ?
Good luck on your projects.
Bill

[squbrigg]

Bone is a good medium for carving, power carving, or files. They also look great scrimshaw'ed. Bill is correct, dust management is a must. Bone has been a sailors choice for ship models for hundreds of years.

Bob

[wade clark]

Dust! (Is there an echo in here?) Bone dust, antler dust and eggshell dust (calcium) will injure your lungs permanently right away! Use a better dust mask than the cheap paper ones!
DO carve it, but don't breathe ANY of the dust!
Nice find! Have fun!
Wade

[Christine]

Thanks for all the helpful hints. I will definately wear a dust mask. I took a bunch of pictures of whalebone carvings when in Alaska and hopefully I can get some ideas from those. I'm not much at coming up with ideas on my own. I am trying to attach pictures of my bone so you can see what I have to work with.
Thanks again.
Christine

[EdO]

If it's like other bone, be prepared for the smell.

[Bill]

I sure wouldn't cut it up, think of something stylized, could be a great piece.....

If you cut it up just another piece of bone.......
Bill

[Christine]

Bill,
Have you any good ideas?
At it's widest point it is about 30 inches and from top to bottom it is about 19in.

[Bill]

I'm going to have to think about this for a couple of days.....

As I only carve animals, I think there is something there but, right off hand can't tell you what it is.
I will PM you if I can come up with something.
Bill

[squbrigg]

Wow, a nice size and in great shape. Lots of possibilities!

I can see the shape of a great dragon with out stretched wings! Lop off the cross bar and use it for something seperate. Just one of the many possible ideas, I'm sure others will see something completely different.

Bob