Scrimshaw is a traditional art form that has as its foundation the Yankee whaling fleet of 150-200 years ago. The folk art of these early scrimshanders provides the cornerstone of much of the scrimshaw created today. The traditional design and technique show nautical designs that follow the course of its sea faring origins. Marine mammals, wharf scenes, battles at sea, and whaling episodes are common motifs in this school of design.

Simply put, scrimshaw has come to mean the engraving or carving of ivory or bone. Another opinion says, "scrimshaw is the term used to describe the various implements, both decorative and functional crafted by these sailors of the American whaling fleet."

Since there is no longer an American whaling fleet in existence, does that mean there is no longer scrimshaw being made? No! Contemporary scrimshaw is most truly represented by the traditional artists following directly in the whalers footsteps in capturing the nautical scenes.

What about other artists that use the same art form to create big game animals, birds, or those specializing in fantasy themes . . . wizards, myths, sea serpents, etc. Are none of these talented artists creating scrimshaw? According to this narrow position, no, they are not. What they are creating might be called engravings as opposed to SCRIMSHAW, the traditional nautical artform.

There are so many scrimmers doing both types of the art that I call it all scrimshaw. If you enjoy it, or its a fine piece of art, and it is well done, who cares what category you put it under.

I'm from the west. I do western scenes, animals, birds, or anything that appeals to me. I do scrimshaw. I am a scrimshander.

How To Do Scrimshaw

Most of the natural materials, ie. elephant ivory, walrus tusks, whale ivory, mastedon ivories, are on the endangered species lists, so stay away from these. Why? Simply put, it's usually against the law to sell and buy. Although on occasion people selling may have permits. So you have to look for alternate materials: cow horn, antler, soup bone, ivory nuts, shell, plastic and stone. I use a lot of plastic cutting board - "Korion".

If you are not artistically inclined, you will need a picture. You can build up a collection by watching the newspapers, ads in newspapers, greeting cards, postcards, any picture that appeals to you.

The picture is transferred to the material being scrimmed by tracing with carbon paper or the dot method. It is then sprayed with a fixitive like Myston to prevent the picture from being wiped off as you work. It also helps fill any scratches you have missed when polishing.

You then use a sharp point to scratch the picture into the surface of the material. Shading is accomplished by a series of parallel lines, the closer the lines the darker the shading. Lines of varying depth also give you light to dark. To see how you are progressing, at varying times, black ink (India Ink) is placed in the engraved lines. More lines may be needed to darken areas for greater shading. Excess ink can be taken off with a damp cloth. Most of us "spit on a kleenex". The whole picture can then be cleaned with alcohol, although I find this lightens the picture too much. The whole picture is then polished with trewax.

Because every scratch in the surface of the material will take ink, it is important that the surface be scratch free. To smooth the surface files will be needed to take the rough outside ridges of the antler down. 400 grit abrasive papers are then used to take the file marks down. 600 grit is used to pre-polish, followed by Zam on a cotton buff. The final high polish is done with white rouge on a cotton buff.

For a scrib I use a pin vice with a commercial steel sewing machine needle. This is kept sharp by fine honing. If your needle isn't sharp your lines will fracture or chip leaving you with fuzzy lines.

The other tools used for engraving are old steel gramaphone needles, carbon steel points, drill steel, exacto knives, anything with a sharp point. India ink or colored ink is used to fill the engraved lines.

Shading is done by two methods:

Stipple Method:
The use of dots instead of lines.
Advantage:
- Easy to control
- Unlimited texture and shading can be accomplished
Disadvantage:
- Time consuming

Line Method:
A series of parallel lines are cut to produce shading.
Advantage:
- Lines easily follow the flow of the picture
- Large pictures can be done quicker
- Less tedious, thus less fatigue you don't tire as quick
Disadvantage:
- Lines may chip when they cross
- Shading is more difficult to accomplish

Reference: The Second Scrimshaw Connection by Bob Engrath