Tattooing a Sheath???

TekSec

TekSec

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Has anyone ever tried (or heard of, or seen) a tattooed sheath? Just curious if this was something worth investigating as a new artwork option on leather. I'm not sure how the ink and needle would react to dead hide or if it would just make a mess with the ink.
 
TekSec said:
or if it would just make a mess with the ink.
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I have never tried it, but I believe given the properties of leather the answer to the above quote would be YES, you could expect a mess, but a tatoo style carving might be an interesting project.

Paul
 
Yea, the ink doesn't stain the surface living flesh for whatever reason, I wasn't sure about tanned hide. Just happened to be working on a sheath while watching the History Channel and they had "Ancient Ink" on so the thought crossed my mind. Maybe an inkless needle and then use highlighter to stain the impressions. Not being a fantastic artist, maybe I'll try some symbol or tribal type work on a test piece.
 
I was watching the same show. Interesting stuff.

I don't think any of those techniques would work on leather for a sheath but I think that MANY of those patterns would look great on a sheath. Especially if the knife were matched up to the pattern.

Of course any attempts at this require pictures.
SDS
 
tatoo needles are way too fragile to effectively pierce leather. Heck, they hook over at the least resistance over what skin puts up. They are made to pierce the skin with the minimum trauma so they are very sharp and fragile as a result.

Its been about nine years since I've done tatoo work, been itching to get back at it, this might be the inspiration I need.

Technically theres no difference between tatoo flash and a leather pattern. Some of the skulls, dragons, and Japanese imagery that I've carved on sheaths would make good tatoo flash. Not sure I want oak leaves, or acanthus on my arm or not. :p
 
One of the classic Japanese Koi would look great in full color on a nice fancy tanto sheath.

I don't have any tatoos, but have always been intrigued by them and those koi in full color, when done right, look outstanding.

SDS
 
well im not trying to be a know it all ..but i know for fact that many Seasoned leather workers will carve and dye leather different color's similar to a Tattoo look at carved oak/maple leaf on leather sometimes scrolls or anything you can imagine .it is cool but takes a long time to do ive put a full week in on 1 carved piece but it was worth it .
 
A tattooed sheath is a definite possibility-----but-------The preparation takes time, a lot of time! One of the horrors of world war 2 was the unveiling of some of the atrocities that had been subjected to some of the victims. One that I remember vividly was seeing lamp shades made of tanned human skin that had been tattooed . The results were gruesome in nature but artistic in design.

I believe that if a cow were tattooed in the design you desired, that it were allowed to heal, the cow be slaughtered, the hide tanned etc---that a sheath could be fashioned as you want. I rather imagine that a sheath of this nature would be cost exorbitant---------------but different!!! Sandy
 
Swivelknife said:
A tattooed sheath is a definite possibility-----but-------The preparation takes time, a lot of time! One of the horrors of world war 2 was the unveiling of some of the atrocities that had been subjected to some of the victims. One that I remember vividly was seeing lamp shades made of tanned human skin that had been tattooed . The results were gruesome in nature but artistic in design.

I believe that if a cow were tattooed in the design you desired, that it were allowed to heal, the cow be slaughtered, the hide tanned etc---that a sheath could be fashioned as you want. I rather imagine that a sheath of this nature would be cost exorbitant---------------but different!!! Sandy
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Man, talk about a long lead time on that order!
 
Hey Sandy, Now THAT would be the ultimate leather working! From hoof to leather!! Sweet! :D
 
It seems to me that tatooing gets the ink into the skin--otherwise live skin is basically waterproof.
Wouldn't a fountain pen or small brush do the same with dye and leather?
Greg
 
Greg, ball point ink is rather permanent on leather. Varying point sizes and colors of ink should make a satisfactory replica of tattooing. I'll give it a try, maybe I can like it, instead of cursing it, if artistically (not accidently) done! ---Sandy---
 
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