Scratchetch

Scratchetch is a term used in certain craft and art communities to describe either a small handheld instrument used for incising surfaces or a technique involving fine, scratch-like marks. Because the term has no single, official definition, its meaning shifts with the context in which it is used.

Etymology and usage have varied through time. The word appears to be a portmanteau of scratch and etch, reflecting a common emphasis on creating lignes or textures by scratching into a surface rather than removing large areas. In practice, scratchetching has been associated with scratchboard and similar relief or intaglio-inspired methods, as well as with decorative leather and wax work where precise lines are desired.

Tools and forms. A scratchetch can refer to a range of implements, from a pointed nib or stylus to a small, replaceable-blade instrument. Some variants resemble a fine engraver’s needle or a curved scalpel, designed to score or etch delicate lines into soft materials such as scratchboard, wax, plaster, or leather. The common feature is a focus on controlled, narrow lines produced by scratching or scraping rather than broad cuts.

Techniques and applications. In scratchboard art, scratchetching is used to reveal white or light layers beneath a dark surface, creating intricate details and textures. In other crafts, it may be employed to roughen surfaces for patination, carve decorative lines in leather, or inscribe markings on malleable substrates. The term remains informal and its precise application is determined by the practitioner’s tradition and project.

See also: scratchboard, etching, engraving, scrimshaw, scoring tools.