Antler Prep ?

[FOG2]

I was given a fresh rack and im wondering what needs to be done prior to using them for handle material ?

Thanks,Bryce

 

[combs6136]

Just like wood, let it age..............carl

 

[FOG2]

How do i know when it has aged long enuff? Also it still has hair and sinew
on it.How should i remove that ?
Thanks agian

 

[Mike Krall]

You can use a junk, rounded off screw driver or tip of a table knife or teaspoon... as long as the edges aren't sharp. Dry the antler out of the sun. Even reflected sunlight on antler hung up in open porch rafters will bleach out. Some folks cut the antler into handle length pieces to dry it quicker. I leave mine whole until I want to use a piece

Mike

 

[FOG2]

Thanks, but but but...

How do i know when it is DRY enough to make handles with ?

 

[richard j]

were the antlers just cut from a live deer? when you say fresh thats what i'm thinking. they will dry out in about a year if put somewhere that stays warm and dry. to speed up the drying you can cut them up the way you plan on using them. i usually cut them off where a main beam branches off into the tines since this area isnt usable. is it a small or large rack?

 

[FOG2]

ITS a 6 point rack medium size i would say.

At the base there a lil large in diam. to be comfy in the hand if that gives you a idea. As far as how fresh, i would say a few weeks since taken from the deer.

 

[richard j]

i would give it a year to be sure. when judging a rack for boone and crockett they have to sit a year to dry out before being judged. i have used fresh antler for a handle before but it was put on a knife that belongs to me. its the second knife down at this link. (small bowie). http://mysite.verizon.net/ress6fq6/id19.html