Antler handles
- Thread starter Rick Otts
- Start date
EdCaffreyMS
"The Montana Bladesmith"
Personally, I don't. I've tried using stabilized antler before, but to me stabilizing gives it an "unnatural" look and feel. As with most things that are stabilized, the stabilizing process does not eliminate movement (shrinking and expanding with temp/humidity changes) it only minimizes it.
Be careful of the type of antler you choose to use, some are "better" then others when it comes to knife handles. Those species that have a lot of pith and little sheath (elk, larger whitetail, and most of the mule deer) are more difficult to work with, and tend to shrink and expand more then those species of antler with less pith and thicker/denser sheaths (sambar, axis). Generally speaking, the larger the antlered animal, the less desirable the antler is for handle material.
Be careful of the type of antler you choose to use, some are "better" then others when it comes to knife handles. Those species that have a lot of pith and little sheath (elk, larger whitetail, and most of the mule deer) are more difficult to work with, and tend to shrink and expand more then those species of antler with less pith and thicker/denser sheaths (sambar, axis). Generally speaking, the larger the antlered animal, the less desirable the antler is for handle material.
That's good for me to know, too. Of the few moose and caribou I've cut into, I've found both to be the most dense at the crown. But the moose looks solid all the way through. I have a leftover piece still good for another knife. It's the middle from the scales I cut off for a knife I posted earlier under the name "should I even sell this." I was going to use it for a hidden tang knife handle and sand everything down to the white and grey color in it.
What problems could pop up if the center of that crown isn't as dense as it seems? Cracks or even breaking at the pin?
Also, should I think of caribou antler to be same as deer? It's got some nice color to it. I'd hate to not use it.
Luke
What problems could pop up if the center of that crown isn't as dense as it seems? Cracks or even breaking at the pin?
Also, should I think of caribou antler to be same as deer? It's got some nice color to it. I'd hate to not use it.
Luke