The antler is slotted with the mill and a slotting saw.Sawed to the exact thickness as the blade. The blade is inserted into the slot. Then it is drilled for handle bolts. The handle bolts have female and male threads and they are screwed together internally. The hole in the antler has a shoulder in it and the screw also has a sholder and when you tighten the screw and the shoulders come in contact, you tighten a very little more, never to come out. I also use epoxy. The heads of the screws are ground off and polished. Hope this helps. Mike