Working with bone for handle material

L

Lo/Rez

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Feb 10, 2013
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I was wondering if working with bone for scale material was similar in odor compared to working with antlers. I cut up and sanded some Elk shed and thought that it smelled particularly nasty.
 
Indeed they are one and the same. Antlers tend to be more porous in structure but are the very same material. Same goes with burning bird feathers or human hair if you want to experience a good stink.
 
Some bone and antler make really good looking scales though, that's for sure. I've made a couple of knives with whitetail antler, where the knife owner, killed the deer the antler came from, and they really came out beautiful--I've died and just left it natural and buffed it up to a gleaming shining finish--super stinky for sure, but can be beautiful--the one I died with a dark walnut stain, came out really rich and grainy like a nice piece of wood---I an the owner liked it a lot! I make a lot of pens and bolt action pens in deer antler are really popular--and actually vary a lot and are handsome for sure IMO. If you have some elk shed you don't want, I'd pay freight to get it to me and take it off your hands!!
 
Lo/Rez said:
Thanks for the info. I may have to stick to wood and man made materials.
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All you have to do is work outdoors and/or pinch your nose. No big deal. But at least now you know why the chimneys at the Nazi death camps were so tall.
 
Lo/Rez said:
Thanks for the info. I may have to stick to wood and man made materials.
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Lo,
LOL That's why I prefer Woods and Kinrinte. Bone stinks like your worst nightmare in a Dental office! :eek:

Phew!

Though if you have some guests in your shop that have overstayed their welcome? Just start grinding a piece of bone! :D
 
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