Elk horn?

bluejaunte

bluejaunte

Joined
Sep 1, 2006
Messages
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Hiya all,

A good friend of mine just took a bull elk on his last hunting trip. He doesn't consider it "trophy-worthy" but he'd like to put the elk horn to use in a potential future knifemaking project.

Is elk horn suitable for something like a hidden tang knife? If so, is there anything he should do to treat it so it stays in the same condition it's currently in?

Thanks in advance for your advice!
 
i'm getting ready to stabilize some elk antler when the tiger maple i have in the tank is done. i have some knives that i put deer antler on many years ago and they still look good. i put some mineral oil on after the knife was done but from now on i'm going to stabilize it. i made a hidden tang antler handle knife for a friend who is now a retired state trooper. he stopped by a few months ago so i could get some picks of it. the knife is at least 16 years old and looks the same as the day i gave it to him.
 
Hang or store the antler in a dry place for six months to a year. When dry, cut to the approx. size desired and have it stabilized, or use as is. Stabilized antler is much less prone to shrinking with age. With antler, you can shape the handle to nearly finished and then have it stabilized (or do it yourself). Since you pay by the pound, trimming it down saves a little money.
Stacy
 
I had a similar request. A friend of my dad's is a Wapiti hunting fool :D He first gave me a shed, but it was WAY too pithy. Nowhere near enough enamel to use it.

He then gave me a rack from a bull he shot in '02 (this was like '04). I cut matching tines from either side of the rack and had them stabilized by Mike Ludeman at WSSI. One for the hunter (right handed father) and his left handed hunting partner, his son.

There was not much enamel on the back end of these, so I had to make pommels to encapsulate the ends. I brazed threaded collars onto 416 ss for to create thin pommels that were actually screwed onto the threaded, hidden tangs.

Hope this helps :)

fatherandson.jpg
 
Thanks for the advice gentlemen! I haven't seen a pic of the rack yet but I'll let him know it shouldn't be left in the sun with all of the mule deer sheds he's picked up. :)

Nick, those are some gorgeous hunters. Thanks for the picture!!
 
Let it dry for 6 months any way. I finish my elk with thin super glue. Take a finger from a powder free vinyl glove, put it on your finger and smear the glue on. Very thin coat are best. 4-5 usually work . Can tone down the shine with a white scotch brite pad.
I usually put a 1/2 inch wide spacer between guard and antler so I can shape it to the guard without sanding into the grey pith.
I/ll see if I can find some pics if this interest anybody.
Take Care
TJ
 
I have used a bunch of elk for handles,bleached antlers can be dyed but if it has really nice color then dry in the shop rafters for the times stated above,I prefer a year drying time,but that is because I will stabilize at 6 months then let dry and cure for another 6,not really neccisary to wait that long it is just what I do...If you need to dye it I would suggest dying before stabilizing...If the antler is rather pithy you squeeze in superglue from each end and strengthen the pth and seal it off if desired (not neccisary if it is stabilized unless you leave the pith showing)..

Nice set of hunters Nick.

To answer your question...YES it will work for handles.....

Bruce
 
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