Deer Antler Accoutrements

[ronnie_kennedy]

I am in the process of making a couple of antler handle knives (not working out so good :shake: ) and i just made a short starter tonight with an antler handle and tip. I have 2 skulls with antlers and was wondering what other kinds of tools you have made out of antler. Has anyone made a holder of sorts for flintlock tools (knapper, turnscrew, vent pick, and brush) with antler in any way?

 

[Stumpkiller]

Awl handle & knife handles. Other than buttons and measures that's it for me. Tried a horn plug but it didn't work as well as wood (doesn't form to the hole).

 

[ronnie_kennedy]

Yes, i think i am going to make a measure also for my flintlock pistol. Thought about making a powder horn plug (the small side) but didn't know how that would work out.

 

[Bill Hall]

Short starters and knife handles for me. Sometimes I leave a shed as is and call it a back scratcher. Bill

 

[S.Kenton]

I've made powder measures, Knife handles, nipple pick handles. I tried to use it as the small plug for my powder horn, but as others have stated the antler doesn't form to the wood very well. I've purchased a nice short start on here with an antler handle...I've made buttons out of antler..I think thats about it for me.
I have seen some nice inlay work done with deer antler as well.
Good Luck and keep us posted on what YOU make out of antler.

 

[Linc]

I've made as mentioned by others andthen I've made up these vent picks using antler as a holder. Not HC/PC but does the job. Pick and you body parts are protected from puncture. Can be carried loose in your shooting bag or a pocket or around your neck.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Since you mentioned problems with your knife handles, there are two methods for making knife handles out of antler. For large antler cut into slabs and rivet in place the same as wooden handles. Or Drill/embed into the round antler. I find the best way to embed tangs into antler is to start with a drilled hole, then continue forming the hole with a red hot flatened rod the shape of your tang to burn out the remainder. (DO THIS OUTSIDE). Then mount the tang filling any gaps with clear expoxy and pin the tang through the antler. If you send me your email I can send you some photo's as I have problems with the photoshop to help you understand the method.

 

[ronnie_kennedy]

Sent you a private message ramrod. Thanks for the willingness to help.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Like others, I have made tons of accutrements from antler. To me, antler scraps are just another material for making 'stuff'. And, people like it. I do. The web of antler is often useless for handles and such but I make short starters from them. It is fun, albiet stinky, to work with and always gets an "Ohoo" from admiring people.