elk antler straightening frustration

[MSW]

perhaps i am woefully out of my depth, but here goes:

i want to use elk antler (or deer, juts happened to have elk) for an inlay. ... but it was too curvaceous ... so i did the inevitable u-tube / google search and found that if the antler was soaked far a day and then boiled for about a half hour, it would straighten out if pressed in a vise. so i did that

soaked it for about two days, and boiled it for about a half hour, and put it between two bits of wood and squeezed the whole mess tight with a clamp ... it flattened easily, and i let it sit overnight, but then the disappointment started as soon as i removed the clamps,

One bit of wood came off with minor hesitation, but i had to pry the other away, and it looked to have bits of splinter embedded in the antler. What was really a problem was that unlike the pretty white/cream color that i started out with, what i ended up with was a sort of dull tan, and the thing is not really as flat as it was when i unclamped it.

so, what did i do wrong? can my technique be fixed?

 

[Rifleman1776]

A search on this forum will find you several threads on this issue. I have never done it but understand soaking in vinegar will soften antler well.

 

[ColonialRifleSmith]

A search on this forum will find you several threads on this issue. I have never done it but understand soaking in vinegar will soften antler well.

Yes, vinegar removes/dissolves calcium. Calcium is the element that makes the bone rigid. The more calcium you remove, the softer the bone will become. Semper Fi.

 

[LongWalker]

You may find that moose antler is better-suited to making inlays. It is often thick enough to flatten the inlay blank without the use of water/boiling/vinegar. Bone scales sold for knife handles also work well.

 

[Dutch7]

Is this why my wife wants me to drink apple cider vinegar

 

[Rifleman1776]

Is this why my wife wants me to drink apple cider vinegar

 

[Freedom]

Elk antlers can be very large with unlimited shapes and surfaces. I would not try to alter or "make-due" with the wrong shape.
Just get a different horn.
What shape and size is your inlay? I may be able to help you out. I am blessed to share my yard with elk.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Yes, vinegar removes/dissolves calcium. Calcium is the element that makes the bone rigid. The more calcium you remove, the softer the bone will become. Semper Fi.

Doesn't sound like a good thing to do. You want hardness to remain for antler made items. I have had some Axis deer antler. They are long and straight(er) than whitetail. They only have a small blood line compared to the large marrow in many other deer antlers. It makes very pretty items. Unfortunately the small supply source I once had access to has gone away.

 

[ColonialRifleSmith]

Doesn't sound like a good thing to do. You want hardness to remain for antler made items. I have had some Axis deer antler. They are long and straight(er) than whitetail. They only have a small blood line compared to the large marrow in many other deer antlers. It makes very pretty items. Unfortunately the small supply source I once had access to has gone away.

Try Glacier Wear or Moscow Hide and Fur. They seem to be able to get most anything. Semper Fi.

 

[BillyC]

Is this why my wife wants me to drink apple cider vinegar

I had my gall bladder removed a couple years ago and had digestive issues ever since. Drinking apple cider has helped considerably

 

[Dutch7]

I had my gall bladder removed a couple years ago and had digestive issues ever since. Drinking apple cider has helped considerably

well Roxanne is traveling down that very path now
My earlier comment was meant to be a joke but my twisted humor often goes unnoticed