Scrimshaw ideas?

J

Jason Fry

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Jun 5, 2008
Messages
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I have a knife I am working on. The knife has mirror polished stainless front and rear bolsters, with tan/cream interior mammoth ivory handle scales.

I'd like to have some scrimshaw done on the ivory, but don't know what kind of image I want. This knife is for my table at the ICCE.

Indian? Coyote? Mt Lion? Eagle? Wolf? Whitetail? American flag? Other than no nekkid ladies, and nothing controversial like rebel flag, I really don't know. What do you think?
 
Fairly traditional styled hunter. This style, except with rear bolsters and ivory.

IMG_05691.jpg
 
how about a mountain range?
 
A few ideas come to mind.
1) An elephant grazing, or drinking at a watering hole
2) A tribe hunting a herd of antelope
3) A father and son walking back from a hunt
 
As a hunter I immediately think whitetails. A buck making a scrape or rub would be cool. 2 bucks locked up in a fight or a buck jumping a fence. Elk bugaling.
 
Right this minute I'm leaning toward bobcat on one side, coyote on the other. Out here in Abilene, it's what we have.
 
horned toad and road runner(with a snake in his mouth). I suppose a jackalope is out of the question?:)

btw Jason. How does one become a member of the TKG?
 
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While what you have scrimmed on the knife is important what's even more important is that you have someone do it who is able to do top quality work. Nothing will ruin a knifes value quicker than having crappy artwork done on it. Pick anything that YOU like and your excitement will transfer over when/if you sell the knife. Just my 2 cents worth.
 
RonJr. said:
even more important is that you have someone do it who is able to do top quality work. Nothing will ruin a knifes value quicker than having crappy artwork done on it.
Click to expand...

I'm with you there. The lady I'm using came recommended from another knifemaker I trust, but I haven't been able to find too much of her work online. What I have seen looks good, but I'm a bit nervous as to how this will turn out.
 
Send her a paper cut out of the handle shape and ask for a sketch of what she would do before you commit.
 
Here's the actual knife in question, all ready for Sherry to do her work. 154 CM blade at 800 grit hand finish, with polished 416 bolsters and interior mammoth.
IMG_1400-e1435845617739.jpg
 
I was talking to a well known knife maker about art work (engraving & scrimshaw) on his knives in Miami.
He said I stay away from it. As it turned out the new owners were doing the art work presented in his portfolio so was confusing at first. Everyone wants their own presentation of art if needed.
He has a better chance of selling to larger group of people.
I like it the way it is. 10,000 year old ivory can hold it's own any day imo.

Gary
 
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