Fresh Cow Bone

[tubalcain]

I just got 12 cow hoofs with leg bone attached,and wan to cure/dry it for "Old Timey" style knife handles. Any how to's out there?

Thanks

Tubalcain

 

[Bruce Evans]

First you skin it out,then cut the big joints off,then boil untill the marrow slips then add some bleach will still boiling-this is to degrease the bone after a little while of this turn the burner off or set it off the heat source and let it cool naturaly to room temperature,then remove the bone and let it dry completly,after it is dry then you can cut it and shape it to fit your handle.This is just a quick overview of hoe I do it,hope it helps....as for the hoofs ,clean them out as best as possiabl then let them dry out and the hoofs should slip and then let them dry,They will make small spacers and very small scales(miniature & inlay).......Bruce

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The Soul of the Knife begins in the FIRE !!!! Akti # A000223

 

[Osbourn]

Couple things on that... Make sure you do the boiling outside if you have the option. It will stink up your house like carrion and bleach, depending on the age of the bone.
Also, a good source for beef bone, bleached and sterilized, is pet stores or the pet dept at grocery stores. With a light solution of bleach, you remove the flavor/scent that's added after the sterilization, and you can pick and choose from the selections that they have there, for around $2.50 each.

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Oz

"Over a long enough time frame, everyones life expectancy drops to zero."
http://www.freespeech.org/oz/

 

[tubalcain]

Thanks guys. I've cooked the bones,and there now drying on the roof of our goat barn.

 

[Jake Evans]

If you want them really white, now is the time to bleach them. The best thing to use is that thick hydrogen peroxide hair dressers use to bleach womens hair. You can find it at any beauty supply place for about $3 a liter. This won't soften them like chlorine bleach.

Jake Evans