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A Brief History of Scrimshaw
24
Feb
Feb
Scrimshaw is a centuries-old engraving art that dates back to the late 18th century, when whalers etched intricate designs onto whale bones, ivory, and other natural materials. These sailors, spending months at sea, used simple tools to carve maritime scenes, wildlife, and personal stories into their materials, later filling the engravings with ink for contrast.
As whaling declined, scrimshaw evolved into a collectible art form, with modern artisans using bone, micarta, and synthetic materials to preserve the tradition. Today, scrimshaw remains highly valued in knife-making, combining craftsmanship and history into unique, functional art pieces.
