Resto-Mod Paramylodon harlani Claw Core

[Uncle Siphuncle]

I was out goofing around in the Texas Pleistocene recently and bumped into this Paramylodon claw.  The tip was missing, but still a rare find.  Rare enough to warrant an attempt at restoration, although I don't have much experience in creating faux bone.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

Step 1:  Net shape the void with epoxy putty.  My intent was to add just enough epoxy to achieve the smallest realistic profile, as opposed to adding gobs of epoxy to achieve the maximum form factor seen in internet photos for the species.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

Step 2:  Emulate vascular topography with a dental pick

[Uncle Siphuncle]

Step 3:  Attempt to emulate porous bone surface texture with a dental pick

[Uncle Siphuncle]

Step 4:  Paint all the low spots in the epoxy with tan paint.  Dry brush the entire surface of the addition with darker brown paint to hopefully approach the 2 tone coloration of peaks and valleys in the natural portion of the fossil.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

The addition is not perfect, but I'm happy enough with 1-1.5 hours of total effort to now move on to other prep.  I think I could have done slightly better in overall net shape, surface texture match, and paint match, but sometimes it is best to just stop and move on.

[Fossildude19]

Nice job on the claw, Dan!

I'm impressed. 

[Jared C]

sweet, that must have been a fun little project.Again, killer find!

[JohnJ]

It might be interesting to cast the damaged original and restore the tip.  Then, you have your original and a restored cast.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

Just now, JohnJ said:

It might be interesting to cast the damaged original and restore the tip.  Then, you have your original and a restored cast.

Also a good plan.