How do you cut a whole stag antler?

[Ken Lau]

Hi,

I have recently got hold of a whole single stag antler from my uncle and I want to use as much of it as I can for knife scales.

Can anyone tell me what “cuts” of the antler are used for what. In other words, if I were to cut it up, where do I do it.

If anyone can point me to a diagram showing where to make the cuts I’d appreciate it. Also how do I tell if it is good quality? I do know that its over 20 years old but dont know from what animal it comes from exactly. Origin...UK, thats all I know.

Thanks

Ken Lau


[This message has been edited by Ken Lau (edited 10-18-2000).]

 

[mikeS]

I just hold the antler in my hand, where it feels good I cut it. I start with the crown and work up. William Scagel, would cut and section anlers to provuide the grip he wanted adding leather and other spacers to make up the difference.
Tines will make patch or neck knifes.

I don't thimk you can diagram it, as antlers are one-of-a kind, sorta kinda.

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Sola Fide

 

[NickWheeler]

I agree with Mike. You can't really diagram it due to the vast differences from one antler to another.

I think it's best to go by feel as well when deciding where to make the cuts.

The tough part is, you can't really tell all of the quality until you have cut it and can see what the internal structure of the horn looks like.

The smaller the spongey core is in the antler, the more material you will have to work with.

Best of luck,
Nick

 

[Yvsa]

:
Twenty year old stag is fully cured and completely stable.
Mike & Nick are right on about where to cut stag. Each antler is different even on the same animal and has to be cut accordingly. You can use a hacksaw or bandsaw, if you're fortunate enough to have access to one, to cut it.

Since it is fully cured you could cut slabs from it if it's big enough. That takes a bit more dexterity as it has to be held dead on to not mess it up.

As to the use-ability of stag it depends on the piece itself.
I have some elk antler that's very porous and not much good for anything except handles for indian hide scrapers and the like.
And I was given some whitetail deer a while back that is truly marvelous!! It has hardly any porosity and looks like old ivory when you get inside the scale.
The less porous it is the better the handles stag makes. And being that old you can be assured that any handle made from it, providing it's good stag, will be there from now on!!

I have heard that stag from the UK is good stuff and the proof is in some of those marvelous old pieces that still exist. I imagine it's the same there as it is here, depends on the piece.
I love good stag and bone!

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>>>>---¥vsa---->®

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[Ken Lau]

Thanks everyone for your input. Before I take my hack saw out, I'm going to take a pic of it and some people see. If I can work out how to post pics here in BF then I'll post em here too.

Kinda itching to cut it just to see what its like on the inside!

thanks again