Deer antler scales

P

Paradactal

Joined
May 12, 2015
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What would be the proper and easiest way to split a deer horn down the middle for scales. I will be attempting this to pin the scales on a full tang. After they are split, I am guessing I need to sand them like the flats on a knife blank? I am a noob knife maker but have a pile of horn ready to use up. I will be using some for the hidden tang method, by drilling out the center, but I wanted to know the best way to split the horn. Any advice?
 
Band saw or what I do is gorilla glue it to a 2x4 perpendicular to the wood and use my miter saw. Gluing it prevents it from slipping and you losing a finger. Be careful either way.
 
I combine Viral's methods, I glue or otherwise temporarily attach it to a board then use the bandsaw...and plug your nose!
 
I do a lot of elk. I bandsaw into sections 4 or 5 inches long. I then, using a push stick, slice off one side, which gives me a flat. This flat then makes it very easy to cut off three scales from the rest of it. Deer being smaller it probably is a good idea to glue it to something to stay safe. I then flatten the scales first on my 6x48" with a 36 grit ceramic belt. This belt will remove excess quickly. I finish flattening on the 9" disc with a 60 grit ceramic. Get ya some potassium pomegrate ($9 off of Amazon), mix it up in a sealabe container and soak your scales in there for about a half hour. Using a gloved hand (and other safety items, respirator and goggles during cutting, sanding and dyeing), pull them out and let air dry on a sheet of foil. After they are dried I give them a shot of a clear aersol wood finish, (Deft). This just prevents your hands from getting brown residue on them from the PP later as you handle them. The PP acts not only as a dye but also a disinfectant on the antler. Your scales now look and will finish up pretty darn similar to stag you might buy.

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Elk scales processed as described. Another set:

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Thanks sir! Ya know once you've done it a couple of times, its more work rolling the bandsaw outside than it is doing the antler.
 
Thanks guys for the terrific replies. The gluing to the 2x4s seems like it will solve the problem I have of keeping them stable. Just what I needed to hear.
Horsewright, them are some beautiful blades you have there. Right up my alley!!
 
Horsewright do you finish the scales with anything? Just take them to 800 or so and buff with white compound I would guess?

I've got a big shed I want to make into a skinner for a childhood friend.

Thanks!
 
I belt sand to 330 on the scales then hand sand at 220, 400 then 600. On the buffer fast cut lightly, med cut and then pink scratchless. Coat of car wax and buff off (not only great protection but its great at cleaning up any buffing grunge) using a clean wheel just for wax. They sparkle. The buffer used for the waxing has a plain sisal wheel on the other side. This is used, without any compound, for getting out any grunge that might get down in the textured areas. Brushes it right out.
 
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