Modern & Ethical Materials

Material Notes
Beef Bone Readily available and inexpensive.
Antler Provides a natural, rustic look.
Polymer Clay Can be used to create faux ivory or bone.
Micarta A composite material that is easy to work with.

Essential Tools

Tool Purpose
Scribe or Needle The primary tool for scratching the design into the material.
India Ink Used to fill the engraved lines and make the design visible.
Fine Sandpaper For polishing the surface before and after engraving.
Soft Cloth For applying ink and polishing the piece.

The Scrimshaw Process

Step # Action Notes
1 Prepare and polish your material. Sand the surface to a very smooth finish.
2 Transfer your design to the surface. Use a pencil or transfer paper.
3 Engrave the design. Use a scribe to carefully scratch the lines of your design.
4 Apply ink to the surface. Rub India ink over the entire design, making sure it gets into all the lines.
5 Wipe away the excess ink. Let the ink dry for a moment, then wipe the surface clean with a cloth.
6 Final polish. Give the piece a final polish with a clean, soft cloth.