Another Bone Question

[almrl]

I searched this forum and read the posts on working with bone but, I still have a question.

Do I start with fresh raw bone or can I use the rib bones from last night's barbecue?

I would think the heat might affect the bone in some way.

I have a knife and fork set (eating size, not the carving set size). The bone handles are cracked and split and I would like to restore them.

Old Coot

 

[paulvallandigham]

Start with raw bone. Heat, without water, simply boils the water in the bone cells, which then expands, destroying the cells, and weakening the bone. You can boil the meat off the bones, without damaging the bone, but when you are cooling the bone, you want to soak it in oil or something to replace any moisture that is displaced. Otherwise, the bone becomes very brittle and that complicates working with it. If you are going to drill a bone for a knife handle, support the inner bone tissues by also using a good epoxy, or hide glue, to help seal the bone, and strengthen it. If the tang of a knife blade is given notches, the dried glue will go a long way to locking the blade to the bone forever, and the glue will also keep water and moisture away from the steel tang and prevent rusting.

 

[spudnut]

I use cooked turkey bones when I make a call,Most knife handles Ive made are raw ,dried deerleg bones..Mark

 

[wulf]

VERY GOOD ADVICE. YOU KNOW DEM BONES....

 

[Titus]

Ive only used bone and horn that has dried naturally. :hmm: never even thought about leftovers before, but a good idea and some good advice.

 

[wetpowder]

Nothing wasted :grin:

 

[Titus]

seems to be the case. :rotf:

 

[Walker357]

What can you make from a T-bone? :grin:

 

[blacksmithman64]

a T handle short starter! :grin:

 

[Titus]

or a bullet puller handle. :blah: