Stabilized Antler for Bagpipes

E

elbowmusic

Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
7
Hello,

I'm quite sorry to intrude, but I'm hoping this Knife Making Community can help me out. I make bagpipes for a living:

http://elbowmusic.com/

Bagpipes and knives have something in common. They both have a decorative part of the product that is touched a lot. Ivory was a great choice, back in the day, but that's hard to come by now.

I like using antler. I'm also interested in using bone. I know that the talented people in the knife making world are the best people to ask about these materials, so here I am. I'm want to find a supplier of stabilized antler and bone. I just started using stabilized wood, and I like it. Stabilized antler would be perfect. I just can't find it anywhere. It must exist right?

Nate Banton
 
You really dont see antler stabilized for knife handles much, you may want to check out stabilization services like texas knife supply and see if they can help you.
 
Welcome to the forums Elbowmusic!

As patrickknives said, you won't see much stabilized antler, but you can find stabilized giraffe bone and oosic- often dyed in a variety of colors as well as "natural".

I'm guessing you need this material primarily for fittings on your chanters and drones? If so, the dimensions of what you need will be different than those needed for knife handles. You may be able to use pieces that a knifemaker could not, so you might be in luck.

Also, depending on how much of a "purist" you are, there are "ivory Micartas" out there that might suit your purposes as well.

Good luck. Post some pics! :)
 
Quite small actually. I make two kinds of bagpipes. One uses pieces that are .9" and smaller, and the other uses pieces 1.2" and under (mostly under 1").

Nate
 
Here's two examples of what I want the antler for:

This one is regular old moose antler:
africanblackwoodsmallpipes3.jpg


This is Buffalo Horn (lovely stuff, you guys must love it too):
BDRHORN5.jpg


None of the antler/horn pieces are over .9"

Nate
 
Nate, give me a call at 508 999 7090 and I can walk you thru the process. I am not available after 5:00PM.
 
alpha knife supply is another good place to look as chuck has different size stag rounds
hes a great guy to deal with too
 
Hi Elbomusic,

Welcome aboard. I haven't had time to read all of the posts to your query. Sorry if I'm just repeating something already stated... Google Alpha knife supply. They are located in Washington. I just ordered a piece of dyed and stabilized elk antler yesterday. They are very friendly and quick to get your order out. I' d' be willing to bet that if they don't stock what you're after they wll do their best to get it for you. Sorry, I don't have a link for you. I'm sneaking this post in while at work.

Hope this helps you out.

Rick
 
Thanks all,

And especially thank you Indian George for the offer of explaining your stabilization technique. First I'm going to try sending some stuff to K&G to get it professionally stabilized to see how I like it. If that works out there's a very good chance I'll give you a call in the future.

The bone cleaning link was also helpful. I hadn't thought of trying bone. It might be hard to find thick enough bone though for my needs?

Nate
 
Nate, send me a piece too. This will make a good comparison for you and me.;) I have been looking for a test to compare the two.:thumbup:
 
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