Scrimshaw Cheatsheet
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. |