How to Hand Engrave Ivory
Ivory comes from several sources, including whales, walruses and elephants. Engravers value ivory as one of the best materials for their craft and have used it for centuries. However, because of the endangered status of many of the animals it comes from, ivory is now scarce and has a tarnished reputation. You can still legally acquire some ivory, but transporting it legally is tricky business. The best source for ivory is the antique scrap ivory for sale from reputable sources, such as small museums and estate collections. Always know your source when you acquire ivory, and avoid anything connected with the poaching of endangered animals.
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Things You'll Need
- Ivory
- 50-, 120-, and 220-grit sandpaper
- Picture of engraving
- Pencil
- Fixative
- Engraving tools or mechanical engraver
- Towel
- Rubbing alcohol
- India ink
Instructions
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1
Sand the ivory with progressively finer sandpaper, starting with 50-grit paper and proceeding to 120- and 220-grit paper. Sand until the ivory has a satin (semiglossy) sheen.
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2
Lay your picture, done in pencil on tracing paper, on the ivory with the pencil side down. The image you engrave will be reversed from what is on the paper.
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3
Trace over the lines of your image with a pencil. Remove the image, and spray the ivory with fixative.
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4
Go over the lines with an engraving tool. You can use traditional tools or a mechanical engraver. A mechanical engraver will take less time, but you will not be able to achieve the variation in line weight that you can get with traditional tools. Both types are handheld devices. Run your tool of choice over the lines of your image on the ivory, grinding away at the surface.
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5
Rub the ivory with rubbing alcohol to remove the fixative.
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6
Rub India ink into the engraving. Dampen a towel, and go over the surface of the ivory with it. You will wipe away the ink on the surface, leaving only that which remains in the carving.
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Tips & Warnings
Seal the ivory with white glue if you need to take a break and come back to it later.
References
- Photo Credit elephants grazing image by Wimbledon from Fotolia.com
