Stinky antler problem

[Brasilikilt]

Hello

I've been doing a lot of work with knives recently, and have cut some antler pieces to use as handles.
For those antler handle knives that have a stick tang, I drill a pilot hole lengthwise down the center and soak it in water for a few days to soften them up.
This has 2 advantages: It makes them easier to shape, and as the antler dries it shrinks around the tang and locks it in place.

My problem is I have done my antler soaking in the cooler months, not in summer.
I walked outside a bit ago and smelled something FOUL! I immediately recognized my folly when I saw flies buzzing around the antler soaking bucket.
I dumped out the water and replaced it....I also added a splash of bleach.

I was wondering if any of you know of any tricks to prevent this in the future. I'm also crossing my fingers hoping the antlers aren't ruined.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/advice

Iain

 

[omarick1948]

I have never soaked antlers, but I have soaked some pretty "Rank" cow horns in my time. I did like you do with a little bleach, but ammonia seems to keep the smell away pretty much! Of course ammonia keeps everything away pretty much!... :rotf:

Rick

 

[lonehunter]

Iain, How long do you soak your antler, and how pliable do they get?
The reason I ask is, I have a big Bowie style that I am working on and the piece of antler I have needs a little tweaking.
I have read of boiling them then putting them in a vise to dry but never tried any of these methods. :v

 

[yeoldcraftsman]

Perhaps ideas/suggestions talked about in this topic would be of help.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/255390/post/964928/#964928

Gary

 

[tg]

There is a white powder preservitive you can ad to the water but I cannot think of it right now, it is a simple common product, but I am drawing a complet blank, hopefully someone else will know of it.I also use it to cure Deer toe sheaths, and retard spoilage in rawhide when soaking, Damn I hate these Geritol moments


AHHH! BORAX... about a 1/2 cup per gallon or so.

 

[troutabout]

NEVER - EVER mix ammonia and bleach together. It makes phosgene gas and one breath will shut your lungs down and kill you. Even outdoors.
Frequent perimiter defense in Nam was one gallon bleach and one quart ammonia duct taped to Claymore. Very effective on mass assault.

 

[Brasilikilt]

Hey everyone, thanks for the links and advice.

Soaking the antler for me has been only to soften them up in the more porous core. It makes it a lot easier to insert a stick tang down the center.
I don't do this to make them "pliable" as if to bend them straight.

I did learn something new......how to straighten all those little curved section of antler
I heard of boiling them, but thought that this would make them too brittle. I will have to try the vinegar trick.

Borax...YES! I did buy a box of it quite a while ago to use as a flux for forge welding.
It also works as a fire retardant
Useful for curing stinky antlers
And...also works well for what the box says it's for....washing clothes, and probably a bunch of other stuff I cant think of right now.

Troutabout....I will remember this if ever I need to repel a human wave attack

 

[buford87]

Might not work on zombies...............watch yer top knot.................

 

[woodse guy]

How long do you have to soak the antler and do you have to drill a hole first.

 

[Brasilikilt]

Hey Woods

I first got the idea after reading this article back a WHILE ago...Hope this explains things well enough.

The big difference with what he is doing, and what I am doing is that he is using a knife with a partial tang, and I am using knives with full whittle or stick tang that goes through the whole length of the handle and is peened over a washer at the end.
For this, I like drilling a hole through the center. I don't need the whole antler to be soft, just the center bit. drilling the hole speeds up the process.

 

[Brasilikilt]

sorry, forgot the link
http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-antlerhandleknife.html

 

[troutabout]

I'll tell ya another trick - Go to the store and buy a bottle of Roach Rid. Read the contents : 100% pure boric acid. This Boric acid (Boraxo or whatever) also kills other insects. I use it to rub into wood objects before I finish them and those items will never be attacked by woodworm. This was found out by a physicist who researched why European violins showed wood borer holes but none of the Italian Cremona fiddles had worm holes. Apparently the volcanic dust they used to polish the raw wood was high in Boric content in northern Italy. How 'bout them apples ? :hatsoff: