cutting stag by hand

[messanjah03]

Hi folks!

I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on cutting stag by hand. I'm working on completing a little Scagel-ish hunter and have ordered some stag to finish off the handle, but am unsure what the best thing to cut it with would be. (hack saw? coping? specific blade?)

(I did have a piece of elk antler I was going to use, but not having a band saw, and after trying several different hand saws I got impatient. So then I got this BRILLIANT idea to try and cut it using my dewalt miter saw. Needless to say, chaos soon ensued;the elk went flying up in the air and when I managed to dig it out from underneath a pile of junk it was chipped on both ends and had a tooth from the miter saw embedded in middle of it.)

thanks

Jon

 

[canid]

i've been cutting my mule deer antler by hand with a coping saw since i broke my last bandsaw blade last week.

it cuts easily, and very controllably when i clamp it down, don't force it and use a relatively fresh blade. it's one of those things that is not only more precise, but actually goes faster if you don't rush it.

clamping can get a little interesting with some shapes/pieces using only c-clamps, but i've managed to find an arangement that worked for every piece.

i don't remember what tooth count i decided was working the best, but next time i' out to the shop i'll take a look.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

A back saw and a miter box does well,too.