i am new here and need a little help please Mammoth tusk ivory

[Tofasttodrive]

Hello my name is Rich i live in Utah
i am looking to lern to do some engraving

my dad just past and i got alot of his stuff 30++lbs of Mammoth tusk
and alot of scrap

but i do not want to wast it on trying to lern

what would be best to work with as i lern that is cheep to buy as i can not work i fell 45 feet back in 1986 and killed my back and legs so income is low

but i love to work with my hands and i think doing some Scrimshaw would be fun

so i would like to sell this mammoth tusk to get other items i need to lern

so i will add some pics please tell me that you think
mt email is Tofasttodrive@comcast.net

[ArtisticAttributes]

There are some very talented Scrimshanders that belong to the forum. They will be along shortly I am sure. I have worked with most of the Ivory materials myself and can say they are alot of fun. I have done some scrim myself, infact I have a bit of the material in polished forms ready for me to get rolling. I must add that if you work the material, be cautious with the dust. Try not to inhale much of it, it gave me a very, very nasty sinus infection a year ago. A simple mask or respirator will offer good protection.

As for scrimming, anything with a point is suitable for the work. I have use carbide needles, regular sewing needles, carbide sharpened points, ect.. You can simply get started with an Exacto Blade holder/Pen Knife with a sharpened point attached. Some form of magnification is also very handy. Depending on your eyes, anything from a Optivisor or Loupe, with suit. When you get into the work and microscope is a veritable asset. There is a tremedous amount of information on this topic. If one tires of singly addind dot after dot or one should desire, there are a couple of companies that offer a pnuematic tool for speeding up the process. Paleo Tools in Utah offers a very nice tool I would like to try when I get up and running again. Inks, and paints, ect. for blackening your scrim will vary by taste. Some like inks, oil paint, Sharpie's, ect. Try a couple of them and you will find your favorite medium.

As for "working" the Mammoth Ivory, anything that will work wood will work Ivory generally speaking. Dremels or similiar type rotary tools are a great asset for shaping. Coping saws, Band Saws are well suited. Sanding is also a personal preference with a variety of arguments being made over "dry" vs "wet". I used both. I like to finish polish by using the wet method with automotive wet sand paper in varying grits. You want it to be a smooth as glass for scrimshaw. Getting there will take a bit of time but is attainable. Also the Mammoth Ivory will have a fluctuation of density in it. Some areas will be really hard and some soft. There will also be portions that will try an delaminate on you. This is one of the areas where the dry vs wet comes in. Obviously if you use the innermost portion of the tusk, that is where it will be the most dense. The outer was exposed to many environmental fluctuations. Some will use the color variations to there compositional advantages. This is where the designer or artist in you will show. As with any of the above, your heart, mind and progression of talent will lead you to much enjoyment in working with the material.

Your'e interest will find you many like-minded friends and associates. They will assist you in your travels. You are in good hands among the forum. Best wishes and Enjoy.

Welcome!!!!:whoo:

[SVD]

Welcome to the forum! :waving:

Katherine Plumer did an excellent tutorial on scrimming Mamoth Ivory - click here

Looks like you've got enough to get you through at least a few weeks.

[Tofasttodrive]

thank you Lee for all your help and info

[msisut]

How can you be contacted. I would have interest in some ivory. I even have some engraving tools to trade. I also live in Utah.

[Tofasttodrive]

here is my email Tofasttodrive@comcast.net

[jetta77]

Tofa, I'm down in Utah's Dixie but I'm guessing your probably up north I've been ebgraving for just a short time but would love to help in any way...
Jeff

[Tofasttodrive]

hello i am in lehi

[KatherinePlumer]

I'd encourage you to hang onto some of that ivory, that's a nice piece!

I know a lot of people practice on plastic spoons. That's how I started out too. It's an okay surface but really doesn't feel all that much like ivory, it's almost sort of stretchy in a way. Corian is a very nice material and scrims very much like ivory. I went to the local home improvement store and asked about getting some sample tiles (2x2 inches) for an art project and they were happy to send me home with a handful for free.

-Katherine

[Tofasttodrive]

hello i have over 30++lbs of mammoth ivory this is just one i grabbed i wouls say it's is from 5 to 8 lbs so it would really help me to sell it i have a low income and for me tostart a new hobby i have to do this but the good thing is i have alot more i will not sell as i would like to use it wen i get good enough to work with it

[Tofasttodrive]

i will try a plastic spoons

[Tofasttodrive]

the ivory has Sold

ok guys what tools and inks should i get ArtisticAttributes is going to send me some tools so i gess i should hold off intell i see what i get from Lee and thank you Lee for going to send some of your tools

[Javier-Scrimshaw]

Keep going, we are looking forward to see your product.

[ArtisticAttributes]

Sent Rich everything he needed to get started about 3 months ago, spent many hours on the phone, agreed to a trade for the tools, no response since. Hope his Ivory didn't get the best of him.

[chujybear]

ivory is a wonderful material to carve. but if you take whale jaw bone it has a similar density.. as well many parts of an animal have quite dense portions of bone. though the grain acts just a little different, it will give you an inexpensive way to play around without wasting any ivory... obviously teeth are practically ivory, just get past the enamel.
you are very lucky to have such a pile. good times