deer antler handles?

joe9knives

joe9knives

Joined
Sep 12, 2006
Messages
221
I have a friend who wants a knife made with the antlers of a deer he shot here in Oklahoma. Problem is I haven't worked with this material before and I figure it's different to work with than sambar stag. I would appreciate any tips or no-no's to working with this material. He is wanting a hunting knife without any kind of pommel at the end. I am thinking stub tang. I will probably buy a premade blade for this one because he wants stainless which I don't heat treat. Thanks in advance.
 
if its not straight you can boil it in water and use 2x4s in a vise like a sandwich and apply preasure till its straight and let dry in the vice.
 
I also have some friends with deer antlers for me to turn into knife handles...

But I sure dont know how yet....
 
Let it dry well - 3-6 months. Sand with new belts. Polish with white compound on a new/clean buff.
Also, many states don't allow the sale of whitetail deer parts.There is no problem in making the knife for your friend,just don't start selling them at the shows unless you are sure of the state laws.
 
For your hidden tang you need to clean out all of the softer interior surface and backfill with your epoxy around the tang of the knife. If you are not using the crown then you can make your buttcap first to fill that end and let it set up then do your tang from the other end. Slabbing it means not having very thick slabs to use.
 
I work with alot of elk and the problem with American deer species is the bone density of the antler. Sambar stag has alot denser bone around the marrow part of the antler. I've had elk that was very dense and some that was not dense enough to use. I like hand picking it whenever I can. The best thing to do is cut it to see the density. The closer to the crown the more dense it will be.
Scott
 
dang thats to far for this guy to travel there are alot of other knife guys down around there

http://www.theknifegroup.com/

i was thinking about becoming a member but wife wont let me drive that far for my hobby.

ooooohhhhhhh the old ball and chain :grumpy:
 
Bart the 17th of February there will be a shop tour at Rob Webers house at Dewey. Just North of town on highway 75. Mike Look for the bowie signs.
 
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