Scrimshaw

[SimonLawton]

Hi All, I managed to source about a Dozen Fallow Deer Antlers, some will be ok for Thumbsticks, the others I will have to think about as they are just kind of straight!
I was thinking Collars?
I really fancy trying Scrimshaw on my Antlers too, but not sure how to start? any info gratefully received!
thanks guys
Simon

[Bob K.]

I would start with a Google search for scrimshaw.

[Robert Cahill]

I hope you get some good answers on this as I am curious also. So far my impression is you draw the picture and then make holes with a needle or awl then color it with different shades of India ink. I could be completely wrong. I just got a book from the library that gives a history but no instruction so I will be following this post.

[kev.b]

Simon and Robert there is an easier way. firstly sand/file your antler or bone very smooth, i usually finish withh 0000steel wool, but smoother the better then search net for picture you want i.e. sail ship, whale breeching sea , animal life etc (or as in link below i printed the name of my dog that my daughter wanted on an antler walking stick) anyway once you have your pattern you could meticulously try a free hand copy of it or simply place some carbon paper between pattern/picture and trace it onto antler/bone.
next using an electric engraver ( really cheap one will do, try ebay) engrave the pattern left by the carbon paper.
then simply colour the engraving with a stain, ink, shoe polish/dye and wipe off immediatley, stain and wipe off small areas at a time.
** the reason you want the area to be as smooth as possible is that the stain /dye only rests in the engraved lines and not in any ruts left in the antler**
My daughter wanted our dogs name "Bounty" to look "oldy worldy" hence the old world type script. the area around the lettering was "aged " a bit too.
hope this helps
1st attempt at stick, antler and hazel.
kev

[kev.b]

try youtube videos for some interesting examples
1 to start you off
How to make Scrimshaw - YouTube

[SimonLawton]

Thanks Kev, once again my Welsh Friend! ;o)

[fly fisher]

Hi Simon you could also send a few my way and I'll do some miniatures carvings out of em. lol

[kev.b]

The dental burrs i had ordered arrived yesterday, some of them look microscopic though i still don't think i'll be able to do carvings as small as your fly fisher.....you sure you dont carve normal size and just make enormous items to go in the back ground ?
I have made a few welsh love spoons so the cotton reel and golf tee with balls in really impressed!
you planning on posting a tutorial of some of your work?
kev

[kev.b]

Simon and Robert here's a stick im working on at the moment, not sure if it will work seemed like a good idea at the time.
it's not quite scrimshaw but similar.
ive used my pyrography pen ( with tip filed to a pin point) to burn some detail onto an Ox bone spacer , 30mm (labrador one side and pheasant other)
the spacer will then be added into a cherry thumbstick and filled with resin so the detail can be seen from either side.
labrador is as burned, pheasant has had some red and irridescent blue added.
this is where i'm at so far.....any thoughts?

[Robert Cahill]

Thanks for the response I hope to try it after the Thanksgiving holiday.