Hats Of To Carvers Everywhere

Well after looking at alot of pictures of carved bone or ivory scales I figured I could do that. So I picked what I thought would be an easier design and started to go to work on an old set of bone scales that was lying around. Well after 20min of filing the hand that I used to hold the piece cramped up so bad that I had to stop. I tip my hat to all the carvers out there that do this on a regular basis cause it isn't anywhere as easy as I thought it was going to be. I can't imagine trying the more intricate detailed ones. I am quite pleased with the results so far. I'm sure a dremel would make this faster and a little easier, but I don't have the right bits atm. Needless to say my next set I will get some more bits and try a dremel. This is what I got after about 2hrs of filing and many, many breaks. I think I will let my hand rest for a day or two or three.

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Well done!

nice job,
now the fun starts trying to make the second side match the first while looking forward to the cramps again LOL

Came out really nice!

Well done! I like hand tools in many ways. They are much more forgiving. If you make an error you can usually recover. With power tools such as a dremel if you make a mistake it is usually junk. If you are in it to have fun stay with the hand tools.

Totally cool! Nice job! :chapeau

looks great so far! are you just holding them with your hand or do you use some kind of support behind them?
i shaped my last set of scales with a scrap of wood held in a vice then tacked the scales on to it with some small brass tacks. that way all your effort can be used to guide the tools. (shaping the wood to the scales gives better access to the scales. it doesn't have to look nice just give clearance.
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I was just setting them on a wood block and holding them down with my fingers. The files are small and I didn't want to use to much pressure on the them. Good idea about tacking it to a piece of wood. Didn't think of that. Will work nicely for making scales since I can't use my power tools after I moved till I set up workshop somewhere else. Well I started the swirls on the second scale since I couldn't wait a day or two and my hand seems to be used to it a little bit more cause I didn't need to take a break. Still got sore, but not cramped up. It went alot easier since I already knew what I needed to do from the first one. Not sure what I want to do with the ends yet. The basic straight lines in the ends that I've seen just doesn't seem right. I think I would rather leave them like they are instead of doing that. Might try a variation of a fleur de lis. The bad thing is I didn't make the scales for a razor so now I have to find one to put them on. One thing I have noticed is that they are more flexible now so will need to keep an eye on that. Next time will have to start with a thicker piece of bone since the shaping removes quite a bit of material.

Here are some old ones I have been attempting to soak the oil out of. Last owner over-oiled his blade (which was junk anyway!).
I agree about not doing the lines. A good place for a crack to start when peening!

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Well got the other side done, but unfortunately I didn't notice that they are slightly different in size. One is a little taller and wider than the other one. They will work though. Think I found a razor for them also. Just need to finish the wedge and good to go, but I think I might add a little more design to the scales. Will be a work in progress till I can figure out what I want to do. I have to admit making these was quite alot of fun even with the pain.

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