Cleaning up deer antler

[TinStar]

I have some older whitetail deer antler and want to clean it up to make some things. near the antler base it is quite browned up and dark from rubbing. The rest of it seems to have gotten a little dark also(maybe from age?)
Anyway I have tried everything to clean it up. I would like to "whiten(or lighten) it up" some before I start. What do you suggest???

TinStar
Soli deo Gloria!

 

[ohio ramrod]

Clorine bleech will whiten the antler. Dilute about one part bleech to five parts water, soak for 1/4 hour, rinse with water, let set in sun for a day. Repeat as desired. It is easy to over do the bleech and weaken the antler so don't be in a hurry. :idunno: The base is dark because it was not rubbed! :idunno:

 

[Rifleman1776]

That is part of the natural coloring. Personally, I would leave it alone. But if yer tastes run differently, just clean and scrub. It will get white if ye like that.

 

[TinStar]

Thank ya gents! :hatsoff:

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[adiochiro3]

I personally like the tips white as deer will polish them rubbing and fighting. The majority of the antler is typically "dirty" and brown, so I try to keep some of those original characteristics. However, you can sand and polish them, and they will get smooth and white (As long as you don't go deep enough to get into the spongy part of the bone).

I've made many things from antler, and I will actually stain them brown with wood stain to get them to look more natural. Oil-based stain works better than water-based (IMHO), but both will work. Here are some examples:

Antler cribbage board with both color features. All of the brown seen here is actually stain; the antler was sun-bleached white when I got it.

Antler pen

Antler ring laminated between cocobolo wood

So you can essentially get any look you want. Just experiment a bit, and ask any questions if you get stuck.

 

[TinStar]

Beautiful work adio!!!

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[TinStar]

Beautiful work adio!!!

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[Rick Son]

I'll take a size 10 1/2 :grin:

 

[MSW]

nice work!

 

[hanshi]

Dang! You are really good. :hatsoff:

 

[adiochiro3]

Thanks everyone! I do love working with antler (except for the smell :td: ) It's a great medium and generally easier to work with than the novice might think. My most recent project is this powder horn I made combining cow horn & Elk antler (posted here http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/271293/ on this forum).

The antler is both polished and stained for effect.