DIY Scrimshaw Kit

btb01

btb01

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So my sister-in-law was showing me this (which I believe she had seen on Instagram or something) and I thought it was interesting. The knife is made by Bear & Son and comes in either a lock-back or Barlow. I'm not really familiar with Bear & Son, does anyone have any experience with their knives? I know they're made in the US (Alabama, I think?), but beyond that, I don't know anything about the quality, F&F, etc., and I don't recall ever seeing any or hearing the name around here (which, admittedly, makes me a little hesitant). I do think it would kind of fun to do your own scrimshaw, though. (I suppose you could always acquire the necessary tools/materials and any smooth bone knife you wanted and do the same thing, but this certainly seems easier.)

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(I believe there's also a trapper model as shown in some of the photos, but that one isn't a Bear & Son knife. The website - I don't want to put a link or anything to stay within the rules of the sub forum - simply says "imported" in regards to the trapper.)
 
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Ok, after doing a little searching around here, it seems that Bear & Son has a less-than-stellar reputation when it comes to quality and F&F. :eek:

That being said, I still think the scrimshaw thing is pretty cool. Has anyone done their own scrimshaw on a knife? If so, share some photos!
 
I don't know anything about scrimshaw but my Bear and Sons knives have all been fine. I've always felt they were worth the price.
 
I was hoping to win a Bear&Sons from someone who was thinking about buying a couple display cases full of them, but I think he was talked out of the purchase.
The only one I've handled seemed seemed fine to me, but I guess I wouldn't buy one without handling it, having read some of the opinions.
The scrimshaw looks like fun, if you have better skills and more current tetanus shots than I. You could find tutorials and clip art online, and make/find your own tools, but getting it all in one package would be quicker and easier.
Seems to me Schrade used to scrimshaw delrin.
 
A couple of weeks ago I received one the the Mollyjogger kits as a birthday present. Actually two; the first needed to be returned because the scribe tool was missing from the (sealed) package. The exchange process with the national retailer was very easy, and the second Bear & Sons lockback, like the one in the original kit had good fit and finish. If all Bear and Sons knives are of this quality then I would rate them as an excellent value. Oh, and doing the scrimshaw is great fun! 😊
 
I have not been impressed with the examples of Bear & Sons that I've handled. On the other hand, that kit is a neat idea. Depending on the price, it would be a fun holiday gift/project, and I'd recommend adding a few Rough Rider knives to it.

On the other hand :D you don't really need a kit to do this. Here are some I freehanded using a pin scribe and ink.

 
Wow, you're an artist!! If I did one it would look like a fountain pen threw up on it...... :D
 
That is such a cool idea. But personally, I'd probably start with a Rough Rider white bone Barlow or Trapper to practice. Pretty sure they would be much less expensive than Bear&Son. The packaged components could probably be found at any large craft store.

Dang, now I want to try this.
 
Thanks everyone for your input!

Rachel, that's some really nice scrimshaw work you've done! I doubt that anything I do will looks nearly that good, but I still think it'd be fun to try.

bflying said:
That is such a cool idea. But personally, I'd probably start with a Rough Rider white bone Barlow or Trapper to practice. Pretty sure they would be much less expensive than Bear&Son. The packaged components could probably be found at any large craft store.

Dang, now I want to try this.
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I think this is the direction I'm leaning. While I do think the kit looks well done, and I'm glad to hear that not everyone's experience with Bear & Son has been bad (particularly Jeff_R, who had this exact kit and said the fit and finish on his knife were good), they are a little pricey and you probably could get most of the materials you'd need and a couple of Rough Riders to practice on for what you'd spend on the kit.
 
If you are interested, Knife World sells a book on scrimshaw. IIRC it's by Blackie Collins.
 
btb01,
It looks like a neat way to personalize a knife.
Rachel,
Very nice work, good match of artwork to each folder.
 
Nice work :thumbup: When I was visiting Stan Shaw recently, he told me about an old feller he uses to scrimshaw some of his knives, I wasn't aware anyone in the city was doing it. It seems like a very cool idea to personalise a knife like that, though in my case, I'm not sure I have the skills :o
 
I definitely don't have the skills. I can't draw a line that looks like a line.
Maybe Rachel should open a shop.
 
I only have one Bear and Son. It's a Damascus blade bone handled trapper. Its a really nice knife. They are also making the new Remington knives.
 
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