Q&A for How to Scrimshaw

Yes. Scrimshaw is commonly applied to antlers, horns, bone, and even teeth and tusks (wild boar, etc.), provided that the surface is prepared properly by sanding to smooth the surface as necessary. Once the surface is perfectly smooth, it may be prepared and scrimshawed as above.

Use only black India Ink (Higgins is a good brand), if you want authenticity. Whalemen used a combination of soot (called "lamp-black") from the inside of oil lamp glass, mixed with whale oil. When you use colored inks, they are pretty, but you loose all credibility.

You may lightly polish the finished surface with a felt bob attachment on a Dremel tool, charged with beeswax or a fine conservator's wax. Care must be taken to ensure that you use a light touch, as Dremel tools rotate at high speeds, and there is a risk of scorching or burning the finished surface if too much pressure is applied.

It depends on the surface treatment applied before. In general, it should work. If the bone is already covered with wax or varnish, it wouldn't need more wax, but it can't hurt to apply more beforehand.