The Last of the Whale Tooth Carvers

One of America's last scrimshanders carves elegant designs onto antique whale teeth, forging a unique connection to New England's formative and violent whaling past. Our friends at Jungles in Paris bring us this story from Nantucket.
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This story is a part of our Human Condition series. Come along and let us connect you to some of the most peculiar, stirring, extraordinary, and distinctive people in the world.
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[@247sapphire]

this channel is such a gem, exploring the overlooked crafts and beauties of our world. I would have never learned about this if it weren't for this channel.

[@FxBrour]

So you didn´t know people used to carve whale teeth? It is not really a secret normally you learn stuff like that in history class, I would go as far as saying it is common knowledge.

[@AlexanderTheEepy]

Corvin Caassimolar ok

[@bluelemonade277]

and now.... its finished...

[@gingertorres9356]

Ye and it helps with 2020

[@AltarenGalil]

This makes me want to play Dishonored so bad

[@sirdougieaudio]

Jan Šinkovec Yes🤘

[@salmonfish1145]

Jan Šinkovec What has dishonored got to do with Whale Tooth Carving?

[@AltarenGalil]

Salmon Fish the runes in the game are carved whale bones.

[@salmonfish1145]

Jan Šinkovec Ohhhhhh

[@Eisaku2]

And uhh.. pretty much their entire society revolved around whaling, whale oil, etc.

[@Zattack19]

I'm not sure how it really is from my limited viewpoint but it always seems like the old crafts like these are dying out slowly. Weird part is I know people who would love to try stuff like black smithing or the older arts. And when I say older arts, I mean not in the paintbrush and canvas I mean in metalworking,pottery,jewelry, art forms that had both a use and beauty to them. Not sure if this is the actual case but when I see something like this, it confirms my thoughts.

[@feralredhead1169]

Do you watch A Craftsmans Legacy? Go on their website to watch full episodes, and I agree 100 % with you. ✌🏽️

[@kawaiinati]

NorthScorpion it's sad but sadly there is hardly a market for this art. You would be waisting your time making something no one asks for or would want to buy. Buying and making is also very expensive

[@d.a.hansen9142]

My parents are both metalsmiths, three of my grandparents are metalsmiths, my uncle is a metalsmith, and my brother is being trained to enter the field. It's true that there aren't nearly as many craftspeople now as there were a century or two ago, but we still exist.

[@potato511]

Maybe they're just evolving, it is important to remember your history.

[@adirtyhippy]

my friend started woodworking and hes doing well, since its a dying trade. alot of people appreciate something hand made, not made by a machine.

[@mohammadpravio637]

The intro looks likes dark souls opening

[@mhm3905]

Oh my god you are right

[@Exucuted]

*Ah thats good scrimshaw*

[@JohnSmith-xq6cv]

Most underrated Chanel on KZbin

[@FxBrour]

I know its really Gucci

[@sinclairdino1780]

I've actually been in that shop on Nantucket

[@edog1o163]

wow you must be amazing

[@currenwiggin8982]

I’m so happy they did a video on Nantucket. I’ve lived here my whole life and I love the channel even more now.

[@wernerheisenberg44]

There are some very good scrimshaw craftsmen in South Africa, too!

[@fatimaisra9143]

THIS IS MORE ENTERTAING THAN A MOVIE !

[@larryvienneau]

those 223 negative comments just show ignorance. We both started as teen agers, I moved and learned other arts, Mike stayed on Nantucket and continued, I am very proud of my Brother for keeping this artform alive

[@thecricketmadman1]

Wow sir. Do you still do it?

[@Brawp]

Mmm that’s good scrimshaw, lost sons of New Bedford.

[@asciiavatar]

My uncle, Robert Weiss, was a scrimshander for 20+ years living in New England, and was known for his incredibly detailed portraits.

[@paulj9174]

The quality of this video...amazing

[@z9173]

we must continue this art

[@anta2413]

super atmospheric for a video about a dying art form, good job GBS!

[@MurderBong]

I WANT THAT OLD GUY TO READ ME A BED TIME STORY

[@ilikebutterflies1383]

Oh, whales have teeths ,i've never knew that was the kind of teeth that whales have

[@ludwigjonsson9139]

Ahhhh, brave men all, lost sons of new bedford. That's good scrimshaw.

[@koma-san2692]

This documentary is pure gold ❣️🇵🇭

[@EseCuate562]

Great Video! Only wish it were longer

[@garydrungleston]

This is by far the most well made doc on the channel.

[@mirafloralfonso5765]

I cant stop watching the videos of this channel

[@classiclaughproductions9547]

Beautifully shown very heart thouching

[@Patrick-cy2zh]

What the hell was the guy in the beginning even saying

[@gluemuncher1986]

😂

[@divinemoments5344]

The vast swells of the omnipotent sea; the surging, hollow roar they made, as they rolled along the eight gunwales, like gigantic bowls in a boundless bowling-green... It's a fragment of 'Moby Dick' of course...

[@stupidmovies85]

I believe that was from Moby Dick, and my beliefs were confirmed by another commenter. Such a wonderful novel, it can be quite boring in the beginning, but gets very interesting.

[@ankandhara9700]

Just increase the playback speed and wala! 😂

[@tikitoki4298]

Pat rick e

[@pancakehistorian4677]

Little did great big story know in New Zealand tones of Maori still carve necklaces and art into whale bone

[@raliixaviero4674]

Holy shoot the cinematography is immersing👏🏻

[@geekeduponad]

Hmmmmm thats good scrimsaw

[@TheCrazycuber]

this is sooo weird i was just watching in the heart of the sea on HBOGO and then i log on to KZbin and see this video and i was amazed by the coincidence

[@gunmath6115]

TheCrazycuber it's cause KZbin listens to everything around you

[@trcmf]

Don’t be amazed. Big Data knows everything you do in the digital world and feed you such.

[@zeezas1241]

Incredible!

[@jacobpacheco3165]

If there's one thing I love about living on the coast of Massachusetts it's the deep maritime history

[@dongdynamics]

I wanna buy one of those now

[@nickiminajstan9363]

Stop do you really need it. These whales are beautiful and the more you promote it the more these murderers will kill. Think about it do you really need it. People like them and you are killing these marvellous generation of species. 🐋😢

[@augustinenguyen6703]

Victor Bui bro, these whales were killed decades, maybe centuries ago when whaling was at its height.

[@cumvertgoose2600]

Victor Bui dude its not like some one goes out of their way to kill the whales... they wash ashore then they make beautiful art out of their remains. Please check before you make statements like these to diminish their dying craft

[@FxBrour]

when we truly don´t want to kill whales anymore it is only natural that this craft is slowly dying. But the killing of whales still goes on and how are you supposed to know where your whale tooth comes from. Overall we could make carvings in the bones of far less precious animals (Cows or pigs) or non animal material for example wood. Romanticising a time wher both Humans and whales died on these horrifying hunts is not really sensible at all. Some traditions just have to slowly die in todays world.

[@suntzu3541]

Its still supply/demand. No demand no need to supply. Most countries have banned whaling. Only really Japan does it under the guise of 'research'.

[@auntjemima1631]

magical

[@comeintomyvan4827]

I would love to do this for a living but my mom would kick me out of the house since "I need to become a doctor"

[@dedude6784]

some type of k-pop trash my parents want me to be a lawyer but I'm not heartless

[@HJ-di1bo]

I watched the movie version of Moby Dick. I'm surprised to know this vanishing art existed.

[@ahmedshaharyarejaz9886]

Scrimshaw should replace Whale-teeth with Cattle Bones for carving similar to how Ivory has been replaced by Camel Bone and Buffalo bone in India and the Middle-East.

[@greatsea6782]

Whats up with the "horror" music? It doesn't fit the video, there is nothing SCARY here.

[@timskza]

Doesn't the narrators voice in the beginning sound like Lillian from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt?

[@nataliej.1417]

lol tim Meh

[@AI-tc8fv]

That's good scrimshaw

[@piekazkout1620]

holy shit this is beautiful

[@crasy4lifes]

exept native people of Vladistok has been doing it since the 12 century with whaletusks.

[@frydemwingz]

until they showed the guy, I thought that was Mama Murphy talking.

[@Tramikins]

When you just finished watching heart of the sea then see this on KZbin

[@Kkoso]

DIY Monster same

[@rakamamend666]

I wonder if it could be scalling teeth also?

[@shay4492]

Okay seriously now this makes me not want to go to school

[@whalebone1206]

Interesting

[@ratio6368]

Wow :O

[@NintendoSushi]

the beginning sounds like the godfather

[@FreterP]

Most of the people in the comments here don't realize that the teeth used for scrimshanding in this video are actually hundreds of years old. If you were to practice this art on the tooth of a whale that was just recently caught that would very much be illegal. The only states that still allow whale catching are Japan and Norway, not the U.S.

[@dipolararc4848]

I want to know the orchestra music 2:20

[@vishnuraj7627]

The last toot carver

[@smaugtheimpenetrable8009]

I cant tell if this is a trailer

[@monkeydo992]

THEN WHAT WILL MAUI USE?

[@crisrose9707]

yes but how can i get in without killing anyone? should i blink to the rooftop or try and parkour round the back?

[@MisterCOM]

cris rose killing anyone?

[@crisrose9707]

it was a reference to a video game called dishonoured which is based in a city known for its whaling industry. you play as the queens protector gone assassin who need to take out the corrupt higher ups who killed the queen to gain control. there is always an option of not killing anyone as is usually harder to do since everybody in your way is still in your way if you dont kill them.

[@zoeyjoziee8885]

*_Blood and Thunder by Mastadon plays_*

[@miguelruben6092]

Where can I get a tooth lmk wanna make a necklace till I die

[@gracepeters1450]

How is it the only original American art form?

[@laughextremelyloudly6337]

No he said U.S. he meant the only original form of art work from the country. Besides, name a form of art that the American Indians developed that was (truly) original (as in never done before).

[@gabbys7163]

Hi

[@paulodonnell6389]

Mmmmm that’s good scrimshaw

[@jerrydmoore1233]

brave men all lost sons of New Bedford. thats good scrimshaw

[@pmhoorah1429]

Dude at the beginning sounds like mamma murfey

[@playonce4186]

lol at the and the female was an old mab

[@thomasdykstra100]

Things bought with blood are are generally overpriced...

[@keelanwalker]

I couldn't help but notice that the artist made the comment that this is the only indigenous American art form. Does Native American art not qualify as an indigenous art form?

[@sarahgiragosian8550]

He said the U.S. It's accurate. He didn't say American.

[@willywonka2164]

Found a sperm whale tooth in my grandmas attic today. Didn’t know what scrimshaw was. Wonder if one of these old timers could be commissioned to do a piece on it. From what I’ve learned, it’s been in my family since long before 1972. I have no desire to sell it. Just would be a cool piece of history.

[@AshleighLeighanne]

I wanna keep the dying cultures alive...

[@OwensLifts]

3:07 i have one just like that and im 11...

[@ediblerubber]

Listen to 2:25 with your eyes closed

[@bernardosantos8020]

Yes, and?

[@pengoslowpo]

Why do whales need teeth anyways they eat stuff like plankton

[@blindragelol]

I wonder how many whales were killed over the time :(

[@dingdingdingding5544]

So its fine to kill humans and pigs along with other animals just not whales?

[@palomaharper2810]

+YouCan'tHateMeMoreThaniHateMyslef i don't think they said that anywhere in their comment

[@dingdingdingding5544]

+Paloma Harper I'm just saying who gives a fuck about whales?

[@palomaharper2810]

YouCan'tHateMeMoreThaniHateMyslef Ok

[@1337fraggzb00N]

There are still millions of whales out there. Nowadays they dye their hair blue and yell about patriarchy.

[@TheZenguitarguy]

Umnnn Jazz is an original American art form?

[@grahmmo8595]

I just bought a few fossilized sperm whale teeth they are such magnificent creatures

[@Laz2074]

This profession is dying. I wish people would keep it alive simply because it is a historical art form. As long as people didn't go whaling for teeth to carve I would not mind. I would even partake in the act of scrimshaw.

[@thomastheawesome4822]

3:23

[@Dragonwing16]

this is impressive and all, but how can he even say the only art form native to the united states? that's...just a lie, not only in carving, but music, dance and many other things. Like WTF

[@creamacid9417]

Why whales what did they do to you?

[@bernardosantos8020]

The teeth are from beached whales. It’s why their so expensive now. Many people actually use synthetic whale’s teeth nowadays

[@vey_4227]

Is this a great story or a scary story😨

[@shrinivasmandre5003]

Killing Wales to kill get the tooth is not an honour

[@unitedstatesdale]

I always wanted to get a whale harpoon and run it into a whale hunters gut . Then drag them around with so they know what it feels like.

[@laughextremelyloudly6337]

But that would be murder... as where the whalers where killing the animal with purpose (i.e. oil and meat). Also whales weren't killed for their teeth. Rather scrimshaw arose because there was no use for the teeth (commercially speaking).

[@turuff7114]

Meanwhile in NZ 🤭 iykyk

[@barryirlandi4217]

The only art form indigenous to the US! Thats a bit thick... Yes, I know he means to the White Americans.. But still the Natives had art form long before you guys turned up..

[@SG-bp4lg]

They said art indigenous to the US. As in the United States of America. Not just America.

[@shabut]

That had been done prior to any natives every coming to the North American continent. What art form did Native Americans do that hadn't been done prior?

[@thomasjefferies8845]

The United States wasn't founded by native Americans mate. America wasn't a uniform state/country before the Europeans showed up, just a bunch of undeveloped tribes warring with eachother over small bits of land.

[@griffinwolanicki2293]

+Asmund Stendahl yup

[@nicrso]

Yeah we TURNED UP alright

[@kylehazachode]

why the reupload?

[@jairogutierrez6609]

lol 😁 I was thinking I had a dejabu.

[@bradskurt5334]

+Jairo Gutierrez deja-vu

[@joedkat]

dejabu

[@mariocastaneda6518]

I'm in 2020

[@lgych]

I knew it. whenever there's some kind to video regarding killing animals people just immediately go like UMMM #ANIMALABUSE. don't tell me that UR not thinking that way OF COURSE YOU ARE

[@Tennantphile]

Actually no.

[@FxBrour]

I know how strange, anytime I talk about killing my neighbour people always call me Murderer. Fucking PC culture!!!

[@metheekriengparinyakij1700]

: (

[@michaeljordan3302]

BTW, whale tastes great!

[@roosk1423]

cepters you've tried it?

[@kimberly8096]

I did, it's pretty fucked up. But my asian family's culture actually eats them

[@qqqqqq8014]

cepters ~cough~ Nice drama starter ~cough~

[@gabychuels2955]

Im trippin and this was a great watch

[@user-mb7gb4qt5e]

Kill the whales- eric andre (anybody get the reference?)

[@natsuki3758]

cry for whales

[@devikakaul1494]

Most art forms unfortunately are exploitative of Nature even as these ironically represent the beautiful intense link between Nature and people. Same is true of fashion throughout the world!

[@Eraisho]

I personally as an animal lover dont like seeing animals getting killed for no reason..... only for display now i'm starting to think humanity is slowly killing everything.. again my OPINION

[@wishfulwoomy9159]

TheRandom EasiGirl, all of the teeth used are from beached whales who died of natural causes or whales killed over a hundred years ago when whaling wasn’t illegal.

[@michellebao6495]

and native american art isnt indigenous to the america?? hm

[@georgegeorges6034]

michelle bao HE said U.S art not Native American art

[@hkiyr]

All the dishonored feels

[@uzielmora1467]

Quick someone speak whale

[@Jasongy827]

Great video, I definitely want to spend a couple of hours bored books into this. I’m against killing animals such as whaling, or sheep hunting compare to hugs and their fur.

[@gyo._535]

peta will cancell them instantly

[@jargalbarsbold5667]

I though whales didn't have teeth

[@jagjitroudh9894]

Only art form indigenous to the US?! Uhh... How about jazz? Americans... You guys try so hard to forget your history.

[@bernardosantos8020]

Scrimshaw is a form of art, and so is music. Jazz is a subgenre of art. Do you see where I’m going with this?

[@nadiaidris2017]

poor whales

[@laughextremelyloudly6337]

They get the teeth from died whales that wash up on shore.

[@eddiecortes8960]

I though healed didn't have teeth