How to Scrimshaw a Whale (Your First Scrimshaw Project)

In this scrimshaw tutorial you will learn how to How to Scrimshaw a Whale by first preparing an ivory whale tooth for carving and then the techniques for carving a whale on to it.
Scrimshaw carving is an ancient art dating back to prehistoric times. Scrimshaw is essentially scratching lines into bone, ivory, tusk, or horn, and then filling those in with ink. Brian Stockman is a master carver who has practiced scrimshaw for more than 45 years. Brian is a scrimshander.
Of course, not everyone has a whale tooth hanging around for scrimshawing, and anyway there are laws governing ivory, particularly elephant ivory, that you can research on your own. You can sometimes find existing ivory in antique stores: elephant, walrus, warthog, hippopotamus and even mammoth tusks; and whale and elk teeth. "Existing" being the key word.
You do not need ivory to scrimshaw, though. You can scrimshaw on antler (moose, deer) and bones. Turkey bones are a great material to practice scrimshaw on. You can even use cow bones sold cheaply as dog chews.
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00:00 How to Scrimshaw a Whale
00:25 What Natural Whale Teeth Would Look Like
00:44 Preparing the Ivory (Sanding!)
02:45 Nice Little Piece of Ivory
03:07 Inking the Surface (w/ India Ink)
03:34 Colors in Scrimshaw
04:26 Draw the Outline (Graphite)
05:33 Start Scratching!
05:53 Scribing the Outline
06:17 The Fun Can begin
06:29 But First, Glue the Ivory to a Board
07:16 Shading the Tail Fins
08:14 Giving the Tail Motion
08:26 The Main Body
09:15 Cross-hatching for Depth
09:36 Other Materials for Scrimshawing
10:08 Making the Whale Smile
10:30 Interlude (Having Fun)
10:46 The Eye (Triangular Point Scribe)
11:00 Re-Ink the Ivory (Fill the Scratches)
11:33 Reveal (0000 Steel Wool)
12:27 Polish
13:05 Thanks for Watching!
Please subscribe to the channel and let us know in the comments what projects you'd like to see next. (In which case, you ought to enable notifications through the bell icon, as well.)
Brian Stockman is a master carver with a deep knowledge of traditional wood, stone, bone, and ivory carving.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Welcome to the Original Tribe and thanks for watching! You're probably also interested in our Comprehensive Scrimshaw Tutorial for Tools and Techniques: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2nMZICgbZWGrM0 And here's how to identify different types of ivory that you might find in an antiques shop (and how to avoid buying plastic whale's teeth by accident): kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKeci2lrja2HfqM

[@sunrise9070]

Hi Where do you live

[@StockmanOriginal]

Good morning Sunrise, l live in New Hampshire.

[@sunrise9070]

@@StockmanOriginal How can I contact you? Do you have WhatsApp?

[@williamdiaz8599]

That's good scrimshaw

[@Jecoopster]

I understood that reference!

[@willambeasley9609]

DAMMIT you beat me to it alright you win

[@StockmanOriginal]

William Beasley, what did I miss? Who beat you to what?

[@williamdiaz8599]

@@StockmanOriginal brave men all. Lost sons of New Bedford.

[@henryspadt6160]

@@StockmanOriginal it’s a family guy reference but also the truth about your work

[@LouMoss31]

Just a 26 year old with a deep fascination for sailing history and culture here, showing my gratitude for such an enchanting video. Might try my hand at this! I picked up some bones from a field dressing a few years back--still in fantastic shape. Might use those as practice and who knows, maybe I'll pick up a nice new hobby in scrimshawing! Thank you for all of your comprehensive videos.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you so much Lou for your kind words. We are very happy to have you along with us! Scrimshaw is a great hobby, I think you will enjoy it.

[@bdh3949]

What I wanted to know, when I read the title was, wow, how did you hold the whale still long enough to scrimshaw it. OK that was dumb. Great video, thank you for the instructional format for us novices. I liked the way you black it out so as to see your scratches better, thanks again.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you BDH for checking out our channel, we really appreciate it. I hope you’re going to give scrimshaw a try, let us know how it goes.

[@mollypowell6271]

Wow. Magical. As a non-craftsperson, non-artist, I had no idea how the finished image could possibly emerge. Seemed impossible. So cool!

[@davidhaines4927]

I’ve literally watched this video at least 15 times in a row. Each time I see something new. Awesome skill right there

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks! Max here - I have to admit I’ve watched this video myself multiple times. Of course, I made it, but it’s one of my favorites. Thanks for watching, David!

[@grigorisgirl]

Wonderful work. Whale remains have washed up near us this past week and my husband found some clean bones. Very tempted to have a go.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you so much for checking out our channel, we appreciate your support. So sad for the fate of the whale but very cool if you can make something out of it. Let us know what you do with it, we’d love to see.

[@yankyfan009]

Wow! Love this channel. My grandpa taught me some scrimshaw techniques before he passed away about 9 years ago. Your channel has helped fuel the fire once more and start practicing again. Thank you.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks for watching, Jake. What a nice way to remember your grandpa - continuing to develop your scrimshaw ability.

[@lynxlady5355]

I'm so happy that you did a step-by-step video of the scrimshaw piece. So many videos only show the end result or just a minimal amount of scratching without ever showing the ink application.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello LynxLady and welcome to our tribe. I’m glad you’re enjoying our videos, my mission in all of this is to try and open doors for folks. I hope you give scrimshaw a go.

[@woodsbones]

As a beginner scrimshander, I thank you, Brian, for the tips! Great style, brother!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you so much Matt and welcome to the tribe! I’m glad you enjoyed this video, we have big plans for more on the subject coming soon.

[@woodsbones]

@@StockmanOriginal I guess I'd do better scrim if I wore my kilt. Clan Buchanan here 🤘🎩🥄🤘

[@StockmanOriginal]

@@woodsbones Absolutely! So happy to have you in our tribe!

[@nancyperry6958]

I was literally open mouth watching. LOL! So fun to watch!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks, Nancy! -Max

[@kelsey5870]

Thank you so much for posting! Absolutely beautiful piece of art.

[@JohnDoe-yg6ed]

I use ivory for the handles on the knives I smith one my shop, also horn and bone and now I’m gonna have to try this on one of the handles !!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you John Doe for checking us out!! I would be very happy to think l got you interested in scrimshaw. Love to see what you are doing.

[@carmelajohnson9676]

I just started my first scrimshaw today and this helped me understand how to alot!! Thankyou!

[@foggybog]

Great job Brian & Max!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks, BG!

[@bye92]

What an amazing piece of artwork thank you for keeping this history alive

[@StockmanOriginal]

stettler, thank you so much for checking it out.

[@rebeccabense6800]

Brian you are amazing! My very best to you and yours!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Becky, how are you? Hope all is well. We have been having way to much fun with this video channel. Stop by if your in the area.🙂

[@rebeccabense6800]

Cool! I will ! I am up to Mom"s house most weekends. Be great to see you.

[@scotttaxdal7847]

Wonderful work! Thank you for sharing with us!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you Scott, and thanks for checking us out.

[@lennyfelix98]

That's a beautiful technique, perfectly executed!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you Leonardo, and welcome to our channel!

[@geoffreyboyling615]

I don't do scrimshaw, I do knife making, but I suppose a knife handle and a whale's tooth are similar sort of things. Most knife makers use power tools like belt sanders, but I only use hand tools like rasps & sandpaper, and something I have learned from this video, even if I never do any scrimshaw, is to use a tightly rolled & bound magazine as a base for sandpaper, which looks like it will give the same fort of firm, but very slightly 'accommodating' support as hands & fingers -- Thankyou!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Geoffrey, thanks for checking us out! I learned that rolled up magazine trick in Alaska and it is very accommodating. I’m working on a knife with a whale’s tooth handle.👍🏼

[@StockmanOriginal]

P. S. I love working with hand tools also, my cordless drill is a brace and bit.😁

[@petersmedley459]

@@StockmanOriginalMy favourite way to drill really nice, round holes is with a 100+ year old brace drill and well sharpened auger bits. I understand exactly where you’re coming from!

[@agnej8550]

This is so helpful! I am a beginner with saami handicrafts (native to Sweden, Norway and Finland) and this was so helpful teching me the principles of engraving! Thank you so much ❤

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello Agne, we are so happy you have found our channel. It means a lot to us that this was helpful. I love Saami style, in fact I carry a Saami knife every day. Happy scratching!

[@agnej8550]

@@StockmanOriginal that's very nice! I noticed one problem though, when I scratch, I slip with the knife a lot. I was trying to scratch a ring I made from antler, but I can't get a straight line around it. Also, when I tried covering it ink as you did, I noticed that it went a little better but still I am not good at it. Do you have any tips?

[@petersmedley459]

@@agnej8550When I’ve tried to scribe a line around a ring made from a piece of lamb shank so that I can get two parallel lines to form a border both top and bottom I’ve ‘cheated’… I used a dividing compass with a central setting thumbwheel, putting one of the legs on the top edge of the piece and scribing round with the bottom edge so it keeps a parallel line all the way around-same method I would use on a piece of silver or bronze to mark a line parallel to the edge. Don’t know if this helps?

[@scottmefford6917]

Thank you for sharing your skill. I've always been fascinated by this art form, ever since seeing films like Treasure Island and Moby Dick as a youngling.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks Scott, it seems to be a very popular interest with a lot of folks. Plus it’s a lot of fun to do. Thank you for your support.

[@br.samuel4754]

i have enjoy every minute of his work. Realy beautifull.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you Br. Samuel, truly appreciate your support.

[@pepejuan2924]

Good tutorial and your artwork is really good 👍😁💪🏻

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you Pepe Juan, it’s so nice to have you with us!

[@jsteelsadventureandvariety4545]

I think I'm ordering a starter kit🙂 checked out you other video with the kit you ordered 👍 very cool stuff

[@StockmanOriginal]

It’s a lot of fun, I think you will enjoy it.👍🏼

[@regtennyson4797]

Beautiful job

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks Reg, currently I am working on a carved puffin out of a whale’s tooth that will then be scrimshawed , video to follow.

[@kellyklaask7su990]

Amazing work!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks Kelly, wicked happy you have found our channel!!👍🏼

[@TreasureByMeasure]

Came over from J Steel's Adventure And Variety! Learning about this art form ✌️

[@StockmanOriginal]

Matthew The Great Coin Roll Hunter, so happy to have you with us. Janson is awesome. If you have any questions please let me know, l’m also on messenger if that helps.

[@RYN988]

amazing work!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you very much Rayan!

[@jeniyplesovskiy3047]

Отличная работа !

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks! (Online translator says that means "great job"!

[@seenundercygnus6870]

Thank you for the lesson! I dig it and I am gonna make one!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello Seen Under Cygnus, thank you for watching! I hope you do give it a try. We have a video/contest concerning a scrimshaw kit you might want to check out.

[@StockmanOriginal]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmWudYmGgamffKM

[@seenundercygnus6870]

@@StockmanOriginal I actually am! I'm just debating on a design, but I got all the stuff laying around the shop. Thank you!

[@roydoucet7697]

You make it look so easy

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Roy, how are you? It’s not that hard, you should give it a try!

[@luukbrekelmans6020]

Never subscribed this quickly after watching a video

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you! You are clearly very intelligent, and handsome.😁 But seriously, thank you.

[@bramona8665]

Nice work man

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you.

[@WindRider707]

Great character love this

[@lindsayhengehold5341]

Love Scrimshaw!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Lindsay, we are so happy you found our channel! I love scrimshaw too!!

[@MeatPez]

Wow that’s beautiful

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks King Clicks!

[@drumeovideoguy]

Ah. Brave men, all. Lost sons of New Bedford. That's good scrimshaw.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you Dylan, what a crazy job to have! Do you think there are still men like that today?

[@djchris4771]

Search for one family guy clip and now this is in my recommended videos. That’s good scrimshaw though 😂

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Dj, how ever it happens we’re glad to have you with us! Thanks for checking us out.😁

[@kingdarkem]

Hmm got a question. I'm trying to shade an eagle that I did and did all the outline for. Tried using dots from a sewing needle, sailmaking needle, exacto, and even a tattoo needle. When I wipe of the excess ink... It takes everything...is it because my marks are not deep enough?

[@Patrick156843478]

A trout would be cool! This was awesome

[@StockmanOriginal]

I have done lots of trout, I carved one out of deer antler once. I’m working on a puffin right now out of whale tooth, which will be carved and scrimshawed , but a trout would be cool.

[@Patrick156843478]

Do you have a Instagram?

[@paulmackay4734]

thank you for this! even after sanding the bone like you do here I end up with ink remaining in some of the small imperfections in the bone. any tips for how to avoid this?

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Paul, your’s looks like a new name, welcome aboard. In answer to your question, bone is tricky because it varies. Leg bone is great material but it has little holes throughout for nerve and blood flow-some are very small but will pick up ink, to correct this you could warm the bone gently and apply wax to it allowing it to soak in then sand it off . That should seal it enough. Other bones like jaw bones don’t need sealing-the inside surface that is-the outside surface is pretty good but will crack a little. Please let me know if this helps or not.👍🏼

[@callmeishmael3031]

I've never seen anyone take the ink off by sanding it before. That's an interesting approach.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Callme Ishmael, how are you, thanks for checking in on us. I have always used 0000 steelwool to remove excess ink, it seems to neaten up things nicely and doesn’t remove any of the ink from the lines.

[@Bayan1905]

I've done a little scrimshaw over the years but always had a hard time seeing my work, your way is the best way I've ever seen. One question, how do you secure a powder horn to do the finer details?

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello AdirondackBuzzard, we’re so happy our video has been helpful. As for securing a powder horn- a technique that has worked for me is to use a sandbag. You can form it for any contour and strap your horn to it. The leg from an old pair of pants works good and is half done, just tie off or sew up the ends.

[@TimewarpTV]

another option is using a sandbag, works well and will form to most applications.

[@tuskybristler4321]

It sounds like a whale making underwater echos when you are scratching it!!, i love scrimshaw if I was rich I would have a huge collection 😂 didnt realise anyone still practices this,so awesome,amazing intricate work,good on you

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Tusky, thanks for checking us out. We’re going to be showing more videos on scrimshaw soon. More advanced.

[@StockmanOriginal]

P. S. I gotta say I like your name! Especially in regards to scrimshaw.😉

[@jackreeves3001]

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing your amazing talent! KANSAS

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thanks Jack, sharing is what it’s all about.

[@mikekime6660]

Do you make any of your scribes? If puchased do you have a few favorites?

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello Mike, thanks for checking us out! Yeah I made most of the tools l use for scrimshaw. My favorites are a round pointed scribe and a triangular pointed scribe, both very sharp.

[@luisdent]

that's awesome

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello luisdent, thank you for checking us out.

[@andytrott4266]

Wow! What else can i say? I'm in the U.K and i seriously want to try this. Will bleached cow bone substitute for ivory? If so, how do i prepare it? I've made Maori fish hooks and it does seem to "finish" well but i'm interested as to a finish for inking. Thank you for sharing your work sir.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Andy, l’m so glad you found our video and I would love to see how you make out with it. The best thing to do would be, once you have the surface polished test it to see if the ink is going come off nicely. If the bone is very porous and the ink sticks to much you may have to sand it down again and apply wax or some kind of sealer to fill in the pours. Check out our video about reviewing a scrimshaw kit by Rough Rider Knife company. That was bone and worked quite well, with out sealing it.

[@assisdelira]

Beleza de trabalho...

[@StockmanOriginal]

Addis Lira, so happy you found our channel.

[@densmorde4520]

Thats good scrimshaw

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you Densmorde, wonderful to have you with us!

[@davidfarrell4646]

What brand of ink is that, seems like it dried fairly quickly. I blacked up my blank yesterday and it’s still wet to the touch after 24 hours. Also, great work. You are so talented!!

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey David, I used Higgins India Ink, what are you using? I would love to see your work. Thank you for watching.

[@pattreadwell6149]

Perfect

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you Pat!

[@user-wh2nd9bd7m]

Очень красиво

[@francor.2746]

Good morning Sir, first of all i apologize for my bad english language , i am Franco from Italy and first time in your channel. I am interested to learn so fantastic technique. I am building my first knife and would be fantastic to combining this techniques for the handle. My question is: do you think that for a knife handle in deer horn is possible to do same job ? I mean seems to be differrent material from ivory and my doubt is when i put ink in the fine line if a horn remained stained. Many thanks for your help and compliments for your great job. Greetings from italy.

[@StockmanOriginal]

It’s so nice to have you with us Franco. Yes it’s possible to do this with deer antler but different deer have different characteristics. Some species have denser antler than others. The denser the better and working off the outer surface you’ll find nice material before you get to the punky core. The best thing to do is practice on a scrap piece first. Check out some Sami work. Let me know how it goes for you. Greetings to you too from New Hampshire.

[@francor.2746]

@@StockmanOriginal thank you very much. Have a great day

[@a5ad0r]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@RyantheCanuckpirate]

That's good scrimshaw.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Thank you Canuckpirate,and thank you for checking us out!

[@eperkins4955]

What brand of black ink are you using? My ink is taking days to dry. Not sure why

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hello E Perkins, good to hear from you. I use Higgin’s india lnk, which dries quickly , especially when I smear it around with my finger.

[@eperkins4955]

Great! Thanks very much. I've been using another brand ink that was taking for ever to dry. Ill give it a try. Really appreciate you getting back to me. Great videos!@@StockmanOriginal

[@cahuillatube]

Cool

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey pablo, thanks for checking us out!

[@arkas6797]

Is indie ink used the Chinese ink? Thank you for your help.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey arkas, I’m not sure about Chinese ink. India ink is a lampblack based ink. In a pinch you can make lampblack by holding a plate or something over the flame of a candle, moving it about to avoid over heating and cracking the plate. The black that results is lampblack.

[@arkas6797]

@@StockmanOriginal Thank you.

[@StockmanOriginal]

You are more than welcome, thanks for being part of our tribe.

[@MB-xw1tu]

@@StockmanOriginal I always try to read comments to make sure any comment I make is helpful. I was going to comment to say that the cool thing about india ink is that it is basically lamp black (which you described sailors making to do scrimshaw while on board ships). But turns out you obviously knew already! For the commenter, I think chinese calligraphy ink is the same as india ink Thanks for showing your beautiful skill and craftsmanship!

[@richardhatt6541]

How ever did you get into Scrimhaw? It isn't something that is really taught anywhere. Are you from a older New England whaling town?

[@richardhatt6541]

Ok, one more thought; shouldn't there be ink in the low spots and not left on the high spots? I remember, correct me if I am wrong, the ivory had the design scratched in and then the ink put on with the extra taken off leaving ink in the low places.

[@StockmanOriginal]

Yes Richard, you are correct ,the surface has to be sanded smooth for this to work. If it’s not and there are ridges and valleys ink would stay in the valleys. As for your other question, I’m from an inland New Hampshire town. It seems I was hard wired for this, and when I joined the Army and was stationed in Alaska, I found scrimshaw was still a thing. As a New Englander I was right at home with all of that.

[@miguelruben6092]

Was wondering if you have a tooth for $ale??im interested

[@StockmanOriginal]

Hey Miguel, thanks so much for checking us out, we appreciate that a lot. I wish I could say I did have one but they are getting really hard to come by, and current laws make it very difficult to trade in those materials. Once in a while a person might find one in an antique shop, keep your eyes open and good luck.

[@user-je4wm7de6d]

👍👍👍

[@StockmanOriginal]

👍🏼Thank you for checking us out!

[@sileneiole2325]

Is it possible scrimshaw a pearl?

[@StockmanOriginal]

silene iole, hello and thank you for checking in with us.I’m not sure since a pearl is basically shell it might flake off as you scratch it. If you try it let us know how it goes and we will all be the wiser.

[@feedmyadcplease7841]

I was gonna do a relief of an oak leaf and some acorns for my friends father but now faith has spoken

[@StockmanOriginal]

FeedMyADCplease, thank you so much for checking us out. We are so happy to have helped you sort things out. So happy to have you on board.

[@Peter-od7op]

Do you sell anything

[@StockmanOriginal]

Yes I do, Max is setting up a store, I forgot the link😖we’ll get back to you on that.

[@rachelgordon590]

This is my first time seeing this art form and I love it! But I can't handle the nails on a chalkboard sound. 😬

[@StockmanOriginal]

So happy to have you with us Rachel!! Thank you so much, the scratching is a lot easier to take in person.😳You get used to it!