Hidden Tang Question

[axeldoomeyer]

I bought a buffalo horn cylinder, as I wanted to try something different. Is there any easy way to hollow the center to allow the tang to pass though the cylinder? I have a drill press and I was thinking about using it to drill the hole, but I am not sure how fragile the buffalo horn cylinder is.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[Raymond Richard]

If Dan hadn't drug this one back up I wouldn't bother posting this but I am. No hidden pins for me. If I did use them I'd be spending the day trying to find them. I just make everthing as tight as possible.

 

[Todd Robbins]

Jim,
I usually use a hand held drill to drill into antler (and sometimes wood) for hidden tang knives. If it is a through tang that is straight, I normally use a drill press. If it isn't straight, I drill from each end with a hand held drill, and meet in the middle, hopefully.

I hope that helps. Since your buffalo horn is probably straight and fairly flat on the ends, a drill press will probably work fine. Just be careful and go really slow, as horn tends to burn easily (it stinks pretty bad when it gets hot, too).

Todd

 

[axeldoomeyer]

Thanks for the tips. I just didn't know how fragile the bufallo horn is. I will give it a try. I think this calls for a jig to hold round pieces on the drill press