Antler handles...when is the horn too far gone?

[ichor]

Newbie question. At a local auction, recently, I saw a handful of antler go for about 8 bucks. It included one medium sized elk horn and 5-6 Mule/Whitetail horns. They were old and had turned to that white chalky color. Are these types of antlers usable for knife handles? Wrong type? Too old? Thanks for any info.

 

[peter nap]

I haven't ever found any that were too far gone. If they are very old and dry, you may want to stabalize them. You may want to stabalize anyway just to maintain the best product psssible!

 

[DC KNIVES]

John, I have to agree that old antlers can be used.I have found and been given many old racks.I got one rack from an old body shop that had to be forty years old.The only problem I have found is that the antler sometimes develops small cracks on the surface.I usually sand the antler down with some 400 grit and buff lightly with some white rouge.This will let you see what the surface looks like.If there are small surface cracks put on a light coat of superglue.Old antler usually gets pretty hard also.Hope this helps, Dave

 

[misque]

This came in a grab bag of antler I got at the Guild Show a couple of years ago.

Looks a bit on the too far gone side to me.

 

[ichor]

Thanks for the help, guys.