First Commission with Client's Deer Antlers

[John Cahoon]

Hello all, I've been through the google search and it seems that 6 months to a year of drying time is what I've seen for deer antlers. This would be drying/curing outdoors in the Arizona (US) desert over this winter/early spring and it's been extremely dry this year. There's a hint of pinkish red in the pith of the cut ends he sent me.

The antlers are relatively small with 3 tines on one and two on the other... I'd say 1 1/4 inches max diameter in the sections I'm considering.

If the animal was taken in November 2017 then 6 months would be in May sometime I guess. I haven't heard back on the exact date yet. Is that safe enough to work or should I recommend waiting some more? If I drill the tang holes sooner would that speed things up a bit or is that risky?

I've only done one other deer antler for a personal knife and it seemed easy to work, but that piece was very old, probably 20 years, so any other generic advice would also be appreciated.

These will be hidden tangs, pig spear style in O1, 9" blade, 14" OAL. They will have brass guards, ironwood spacers shaped to match the guard on front and the antler in the back so should be no sanding into the pith, then a brass pommel filed to match the antler's contours.

Referencing an older post it's a great reason to make in multiples. I made 4 of these, he bought one in acacia and wants two more!!

 

[JTknives]

I have not had problems with antler shrinking. But remove any and all pith from inside, this will also help dry it if it needs to. My thought on this matter is the outside is for the most part dry. The antler grows under the velvet but once the velvet is gone I would think it’s rather stable. I have seen antler crack but that’s normally from being in the sun and it’s bleached and getting chalky. If I was you I would first remove all the pith and see how it looks from there.