Harry Marinakis Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 I'm having a bit of trouble and would like some advice. I am trying to reproduce an old knife that obviously had antler scales on the handle. The problem is, I am having difficulty finding antler scales that are large enough for my project. The handle measures 1-3/4 inches at the widest point (where is widens to form the pommel), and 4-1/2 inches in length. Most antler scales are only 1 inch or less in width. I have consider using sections of moose antler, but it's so bland. I would really like to use a colorful and bumpy antler, like what is on that old knife, but I can't find anything large enough. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 "Colorful and bumpy" sounds like Sambar stag, or possibly red deer. If the color is reddish amber, the color is artificial. It used to be and to a degree still is usual to dip antler in a dilute solution of potassium permanganate. This both kills any potential pests and dyes the antler deep reddish brown. You then sand that back to make the high spots lighter while leaving the low spots dark. Coffee and tea do this as well. So does leather dye, for that matter, and it has the advantage that you can wipe it off while wet to adjust the tone without having to sand. Since sambar and red stag are pretty expensive, I'd think about finding and dying some gnarly elk antler. A section from just above the crown ought to have lots of nubbins and such. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Blohm Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Check this place out. Im not 100% sure but they might have what you need. https://www.hideandfur.com/inventory/Antlers.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEzell Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 I would also suggest elk, they get quite large and tend to have good texture, but not the best color... But that can be fixed. George Ezell, bladesmith" How much useful knowledge is lost by the scattered forms in which it is ushered to the world! How many solitary students spend half their lives in making discoveries which had been perfected a century before their time, for want of a condensed exhibition of what is known."Buffonview some of my work RelicForge on facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Detrick Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 10 hours ago, GEzell said: I would also suggest elk, they get quite large and tend to have good texture, but not the best color... But that can be fixed. I can attest to the elk. I have a bit of Elk antler, and it is quite large even for a young buck. I have seen racks are staggering in size “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." -Albert Camus http://www.krakenforge.net/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEzell Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Another possibility is pistol grips, pieces cut for this purpose can be quite wide, but also expensive... George Ezell, bladesmith" How much useful knowledge is lost by the scattered forms in which it is ushered to the world! How many solitary students spend half their lives in making discoveries which had been perfected a century before their time, for want of a condensed exhibition of what is known."Buffonview some of my work RelicForge on facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ethanknott Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 No idea if it would work, never tried it myself, and no clue about the properties of antler, but could it be possible to steam/boil the antler to make it pliable? I.e. the same general concept as a horn bow? Or would it not work? (Not sure if it only works with chitinous horn, such as ram/gazelle type stuff) As for elk antler, yeah they're much meatier. I have one chunk I've been saving for a big machete or some such, perfect size for something big and angry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted April 2, 2018 Share Posted April 2, 2018 Steaming/boiling in water, no. Soaking and boiling in vinegar, yes. Although "pliable" is too strong a word. More like "able to be tweaked enough to flatten out a bit." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Marinakis Posted April 6, 2018 Author Share Posted April 6, 2018 Thanks all, I'm gonna try boiling and flattening. I've done that before with cow horn. Works okay a long as you grind or cut the piece thinned out before you boil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GEzell Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 Harry, if you go that route, be sure to check out this thread... https://www.bladesmithsforum.com/index.php?/topic/34912-antler-straightening/ George Ezell, bladesmith" How much useful knowledge is lost by the scattered forms in which it is ushered to the world! How many solitary students spend half their lives in making discoveries which had been perfected a century before their time, for want of a condensed exhibition of what is known."Buffonview some of my work RelicForge on facebook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Marinakis Posted April 13, 2018 Author Share Posted April 13, 2018 (edited) Thanks George! I bought a large Red Deer antler, so hopefully I can cut off a fairly large scale. I plan to thin the scale to 1/4" before I try soaking-boiling-straightening. Edited April 13, 2018 by Harry Marinakis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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