Elk Antlers

TJ Smith · Nov 5, 1999

Does anyone have ,or wish to share a source for Elk Antler??

Has anybody heard of the antlerman?? or bought anything from him?
I ran accross the antlerman3 on ebay he had lot'sa bad feedback!!!
He also sells antlers so beware.!!!

[This message has been edited by TJ Smith (edited 06 November 1999).]

L6steel · Nov 5, 1999

Don't I wish!!!! We need to find a fellow knife nut in Wyoming or Montana who can get us some elk antlers. They have herds of elk there and I heard they drive around in their pickup trucks finding drop offs right and left. Problem is, they ship them to the Orient where they eat the things. If any of you forumites live or know someone who lives in Wyoming or Montana, ask them if they can get some elk antlers for us. It will be greatly appreciated! Take care! michael

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"Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!"

mikeS · Nov 5, 1999

I bought some beams from a man at a gun show last year. Strangley enough all the tips were cut off, I made my selection and asked the man if he'd been trying to make chandilers or furniture, he said no, he got them from a taxidermist that used the tips to add to clients racks. How about those true sportsmen?

Phillip Jones · Nov 6, 1999

Any of the knife supply houses (Sheffield, Koval) carry Sambar Elk which comes from India.
You might want to try...

Natural Products Company
29 Main Avenue
Wallington, NJ 07057
973-773-5508

They specialize in sambar elk for knife handles.

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If a man can keep alert and imaginative, an error is a possibility, a chance at something new; to him, wandering and wondering are a part of the same process. He is most mistaken, most in error, whenever he quits exploring.

William Least Heat Moon

Ed Caffrey · Nov 7, 1999

Hi folks,
I only know of a few people who use elk antlers for handle material. Mainly because most elk racks have a very thin outer wall, and a great deal of "spongy" core. I only pick up the really weird ones just to have around the shop. There is a source here in Great Falls, MT. Pacific Hide and Fur sells it by the pound. Usually late spring is the best time to buy, and if I remember correctly, it's going for around $20 or so a pound.
As far as American Stag goes, I personally think that Mule deer is a much better choice for handles. It is not as dense as Sambar, but has the least amount of "pith" of all U.S. deer.
http://www.mtn-webtech.com/~caffrey

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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"

RCC · Nov 7, 1999

Looking for Stag?

Check out www.knifesupplies.com & www.uai.org

World's largest soruce of India Stag!

We also carry, India Water Buffalo Horn, Mother of Pearl, Knife Kits, Thunderforged(tm) Damascus & more.

Or call 770.640.9330 or 1.800.864.7824 or info@uai.org

Ric

TJ Smith · Nov 8, 1999

Sorry I didn't say I thought It was a real good handle material. EDs right it's real porus I cut into a main beam piece the other day and it only had 1\8 inch of horn
However I had a friend that got a spike last year and wanted a knife made from one side.One side had broke.There was just enough horn to make a handle on the other side so I made it. The points have a little more bone so they work better.

Running Dog · Nov 12, 1999

For me Elk works best on small knives...it has a nice pattern that's not too big...

Check out the "Little Camper" with Elk...

I hope you like

Running Dog

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Running Dog Knife Company
mmurphy@premier1.net
www.homestead.com/runningdogknives/happycamper.html