Scrimshaw on a Newt Livesay Knife

CY_ said:
scrimmer, I've got the mate to your Livesay knife.
It's signed "L Scoggins 04", do you remember doing this one?

edit: this blade is listed on your website as "Deadman's Hand"

newt scrimsaw.JPG
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I'm sorry for taking so long to reply. I didn't realize that this thread had become active again.
Yes I remember doing this one. Thanks for posting it. Also to answer some questions about micarta. It can indeed be scrimmed. It's not as nice to work with as real ivory but it's sufficient for scrimshaw. Paper micarta is much better than linen since linen tends to bleed in more.
White corian is another suitable material for scrimming as is bone, stag, and water buffalo horn.
Thanks for the good words about my work.

Scrimmer
 
Scrimmer, many thanks for the reply. have really enjoyed your work. Livesay's knife is not bad either :D

here's a pic of some old time scrimsaw..

scrimsaw.JPG


scrimsaw 2.JPG
 
Both Bob Hergert and Faustina are outstanding and are recognized as being among the top scrimshanders in the world. I always enjoy seeing their work. I've had the pleasure to become acquainted with Bob and he's helped me out and given me some great advice.

Scrimmer
 
What do you use to make the colors? Is it a paint, a pigment, a dye, an ink? Does it vary depending on what you are working on? Elephant ivory vrs walrus vrs. whale tooth, plastic, etc.
 
I've used colored inks in the past, but I now use oil paints for everything. Even for black. Oil paint is good for any scrimmable material. I like it because if I'm scrimming black I can dab a little on a rag and use it for a couple days. Ink dries immediately and you have to have a wet rag to take off the excess. Likewise when scrimming color work, the paint can be mixed in little water color trays and then stored in the freezer and re-used.

I've seen a lot of very fine scrimshanders who prefer ink. It's all just a matter of personal preference.

Scrimmer
 
lagarto said:
Wow, that's incredible artwork. I didn't realize that you could work Micarta in that way. How is it done?

Lagarto
Click to expand...

Thanks Lagarto.
Well to put it in really basic terms, the surface is polished as smooth as possible so that there are no scratches on the handle. Then the picture is made by scratching or cutting the material in some way. The method I employ most is "stippling". Stippling is when tiny dots are pressed into the surface. When ink, or paint is rubbed over the invisible picture, it becomes visible because the pigment sticks in the cuts.

It's a slow tedious process, but I love it when I get totally absorbed in creating new piece.

Scrimmer
 
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