Ever reshape any antler

Mark Williams

Mark Williams

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Nov 28, 2000
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I know horn can be straigtened and flattened. Could antler be pressure cooked to allow some manipulation of it's shape ?

Figured I'd ask before I try it.
 
This is my thread so I'm gonna hijack it.

What the heck are you doing up at this hour Brother ?
 
Hi Mark;
I tried bending antler by boiling it then clamping it in a press I made with plates and bolts. I had boiled it for 1-2 hours and when I started to clamp it it moved 1/4 inch or so and cracked without any warning. From what I have read horn is made up of hair like fibers and antler is more of a bone like material. Horn is more like plywood and antler more like an ex-wife.

As soon as I posted this I read the one previous. Great info, I just printed it and will try again. Thanks.
 
Wild Rose said:
Can you say sciatica...... :grumpy: :mad: :grumpy:
Click to expand...


Yep. Every day of my life....


I loved abomans post :)


...or famous "Atlatl Bob" give Aboman this recipe many winters ago, and
Bob swear that it work...
*QUOTE*
To Straighten Ye Antler
Take one large pott, half water, half vinegar, small rocks to cover the
bottom of the pott.
Then taketh ye antler, placing it in the pot on a full moon at the
appointed time...place on a fire, for 1 and 1/2 hours bring to a boil.
Lett stand 20 minutes of time. Boil again.
Taketh ye antler out and place in holy vise...clamp down...place hot rocks thereon.
Let sit for one day and night, 24 hours of time.
Remove and with gesture of thanks, create what thou willest.
*UNQUOTE*
Da "Vise" that Bob show Aboman looked like a flat screw press.
Dunno if this work or nott--haven't tried it. Butt...
Bob says it do, and he nevver lies...
FWIW...
--aboman
 
Much will depend on the density of the antler, how fresh it is, etc - like horn not all antler is conducive to bending/manipulating. Even fresh bone can be "cooked" and bent - the old German gun stock makers (16th-17th century) were masters at working with bone, antler, and ivory inlays and over lays - some "cooked" and bent into shape/s that covered the stock.

Others have had success by soaking in water with vinegar for a length of time - the problem with all the methods is the re-infusion of water into the dried antler - it must dry completely before using.
 
I've got some red deer antler that has just a thin >1/4" layer. I was wanting to core out the pith and try to straigten out the piece to a big flat. I'll just have to try it and see :)
 
Y'aller whacky! ;) I've never found a piece of antler so beautiful I would straighten it before I replaced it with a straight piece I could find for free or maybe another $10 at most.

WYK
 
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