Scrimshaw: need a substitute for bone scrimshaw material

AlanGravers · Feb 24, 2015

I am trying to find a more economical option than ivory/bone pieces....you'll see from the pictures what I'm trying to accomplish....the stuff I have been using is hi density polyethylene, but it's still too soft for my engraving machine. Any ideas what would be a harder material? Thanks.

monk · Feb 24, 2015

any knife makers supply company sells different types of micarta, and maybe other plastics. i've done a very limited amount of this work. some of the stuff is laminated and looks quite a bit like the real thing.there's an advantage here-- the stuff has no grain to it and works much more easily than does the real thing.

mdengraver · Feb 24, 2015

piano keys also work, cow bone polished up

D Fulwood · Feb 24, 2015

I like to use white Corian. It is a counter top material. You can also find cutting boards made from it such as this one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=12K6QDT2VFCGD1Z9EXEW

Chujybear · Feb 25, 2015

tagua nut..
tho can't see getting much cheaper than bone..
if your polyetholene is too soft for powered carving, have you tried it not powered?

monk · Feb 25, 2015

Chujybear said:
tagua nut..
tho can't see getting much cheaper than bone..
if your polyetholene is too soft for powered carving, have you tried it not powered?

polyethylene, nylons, and other soft specie of plastic have what i call a"greasy" feel to them. i doubt paint or pigments would survive very long on these softer plastics. they simply have no real way of bonding to the surface.

tdelewis · Feb 25, 2015

I don't know if it is the same as you are using, but have you tried polymer clay? It can be found in many craft stores. There are tutorials on youtube that show how to make faux ivory with it.

maplesm · Feb 25, 2015

Try here I have used it before - Ok but I prefer natural material http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=587_604_605
or http://www.texasknife.com/vcom/index.php?cPath=587_604_606

Bladesworks · Feb 25, 2015

Have you tried these people?

http://www.gpsagencies.co.uk/

they do a lot of imitation ivories and similar. Don't know how much it costs and how easy it is to get to the states but worth an enquiry, Tim

Scrimshaw: need a substitute for bone scrimshaw material

AlanGravers

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monk

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mdengraver

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D Fulwood

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Chujybear

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monk

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tdelewis

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maplesm

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Bladesworks

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