Horn engrailing

[FlintRiverLocks]

Gentlemen,

I’m about to start my first engrailed horn. Do you have any tips or tricks to keep the lines crisp and clean? What’s your favorite tool to use?

Thanks in advance!

 

[user 48679]

I lay out the notch spacing with a compass first, so it comes out evenly spaced all around the horn, then (with the horn solidly secured) slowly/carefully work on the notching, using small baby steps to avoid slips.

I carve with my off hand guiding the business end of the tool(s) during each stroke

I use a small veiner-type hand-held woodworking/carving chisels with curved tips, like these:

Amazon.com: 14 Piece Wood Carving Tools Set with Whetstone and Protective Case, Chisels, Gouges, Scrapers, V Parting, Relief Tools for Wood Blocks, Basswood, Softwoods, Beginners, Projects : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

 

[FlintRiverLocks]

I lay out the notch spacing with a compass first, so it comes out evenly spaced all around the horn, then (with the horn solidly secured) slowly/carefully work on the notching, using small baby steps to avoid slips.

I carve with my off hand guiding the business end of the tool(s) during each stroke

I use a small veiner-type hand-held woodworking/carving chisels with curved tips, like these:

Amazon.com: 14 Piece Wood Carving Tools Set with Whetstone and Protective Case, Chisels, Gouges, Scrapers, V Parting, Relief Tools for Wood Blocks, Basswood, Softwoods, Beginners, Projects : Arts, Crafts & Sewing

Thank you!