Help getting a handle on a handle!

[Dixieblade57]

I have this Whitetail antler crown that I want to use as a handle for an upcoming knife project. The problem is that it is very rough, too rough to be comfortable in the hand!
It had a little start of another antler just above the crown that stuck out about 3/4". As you can see I have already clipped and it shows a different color and texture.
so then I get to thinking I need to get rid of the popcorn/burrs (for lack of a better term) as it's going to be very rough to hang on to! There in lies the problem if I remove any more burrs I belive I will have to sand down the entire crown to make it look right.
So my question is, do I cut those really rough burrs and sand out the entire crown? I usually leave them as I feel the burrs add character but that's a little too much character to feel comfortable in the hand. Anyone got any suggestions??????

 

[go mike]

Don't take this advice too far, but you could try putting a resin or fiberglass material to fill in the handle, and then just have it as shallow as you want to make sure some bumps still exist.

 

[LRB]

If you plan to sell it, there are many that like that. Get rid of the worst offenders, then polish and stain. You might also consider a rawhide wrap in the main area of grip, or even just thin leather. If this is for that Bowie, I don't know. You might think on smoothing it down. Might not be too comfortable for chopping.

 

[hellgap]

I am near complete doing one just like that and crown is the hardest thing ive ever worked on and might be my last one. I can only suggest sand them down and restain the handle , you could use various dye or potasium permaginate to color the horn . I cut off the brow tine and will just leave it alone the small burrs who knows you be the judge sand it or leave it. kellyw

 

[Mace]

You could just "dust" the tops with a slack belt...stain...then buff it out real good then soak it in some baby oil.
Mace

 

[Raymond Richard]

I'd just knock them off with the grinder and contour the handle a little if it needs it. Just get it to where it feels right in your had. I'll usually hand sand to at least 320. Color and seal after that if you wish. That crown has a nice shape. It should turn out just fine.

 

[Dixieblade57]

Guys, I appreciate all the comments and advice!
To LRB this is for the very knife we discussed. You see I am approaching that knife with more fore thought than I have ever put into any other knife. I hope it shows in the end as I am not rushing into it. I am now completing two more knives as I am slowly getting everything together for the Bowie I plan to build as a future project.

This is the way I see it, I love the burrs (usually), however this crown was selected due to the amount of curve and its character. I loved it till I held it in my hand! Then I realized it was like holding a hand full of rocks between me and the chosen handle.
I kind of feel like I have too knock off some or all of the burrs and then polish it out. Once you cut one off as you can see in the pictures it leaves a different texture and I feel it needs to be sanded and polished to bring it all back to the same texture. Now that is my personal opinion. Don’t think I asked for your opinion and then ignored it!

I look at a knife kind of like I always did all my custom woodwork when I was able to do it. If I like it then usually others like it but, if I don’t like the piece I really don’t care how much someone else likes it! I will never sell something that I feel is inferior work!!!