View Full Version : Deer antler
stuart f
25-04-2005, 20:26
Hi all, i got this from a friend last week and wondered if you had any ideas as what to make with it. i,ve thought about making needles and maybe a handle for a walking stick,but apart from that my brain has drawn a blank so i was hoping that maybe some of you could help with ideas.
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http://img1.yoxio.com/img/159787.jpg[img] (http://img1.yoxio.com/view/159787.html)
you could make a bit into a pressure flaker for flint knapping or part of a scandi handle.
cheers
Use the tines for pressure flakers like Hootchi said, also longbow nocks. The crown for a knapping billet or as a bolster on a scandi style knife. The other parts could be cut up for arrowheads and harpoon points and needles as you mentioned.
If your up for some intensive handcrafting why not make a buckle and a comb too? Like the stuff illustrated on this site, though there are loads of others.
http://www.regia.org/life/bonework.htm
Cheers,
Toddy
I forgot wedges for splitting wood.
You could always make knife handles out of it. You can boil antler to soften the pith and press a blade in for an easy knife handle.
http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-antlerhandleknife.html
I have a bit more info than that somewhere, if you wish.
arctic hobo
01-05-2005, 00:51
It's insanely hard stuff. Don't use your favourite knife/saw on it as you'll be annoyed when it completely blunts them. It's useful for anything at all, I have a ring made for me by a Sami child, it's thin but very strong. Treat it as soft stone or metal that you can't melt - it's very versatile, the Sami use it for many things.
Handle for fire steel or handle for walking stick.
... I have a ring made for me by a Sami child, it's thin but very strong. ...
Now thats a nice idea. I may try that if you don't mind. :cool:
arctic hobo
01-05-2005, 17:13
Now thats a nice idea. I may try that if you don't mind. :cool:
Mind? Of course not! Won't be all made-for-you-as-a-gift-from-the-tribe like mine though :nana: :nana: :D
gurthang
02-05-2005, 15:52
I've used antler for, knife handles, fire steel handles, walking sticks and a couple of other projects that I'm working on at the mo like bottons and arrow heads, some tipe of antler are better for different things roe antlers are pretty good for thumb sticks as long as their not too rough, muntjack antlers make good keyrings if their wide enough at the bottom, so many uses.
P.S first person to find a chinese water deer antler gets a prize ;)
bushwacker bob
02-05-2005, 17:14
lanyard beads
gurthang
02-05-2005, 17:41
just been lookingon the net and noticed something about deer tusks, I mentioned chinese water deer earlier which dont have antlers at all but do have tusks and I was wondering if there are uses for antlers why not uses for the deers teeth, Now chinese water deer's front teeth can reach 4 inches in length so I figured their must be a use for them somewhere, Although the what I found didnt mention Chinese Water deer specificaly it did mention muntjack which is the other species of deer in britain to have niticeable tusks, These tusks have apparently been used as awls, jewelery and set into handles as cutting tools. just another bit of useles info :D
stuart f
03-05-2005, 21:11
Sorry not been able to reply and say thanks to all for the ideas as i've been away working. So cheers theres some good food for thought,i just now have to put it all into practice.
I keep an eye open for antler all the time when I'm out hiking, but never seem to find any. When do they shed their antlers, and will I be able to use the antler straight away, or does it need to season in anyway? All hints and tips would be helpful.
Cheers
Spamel
arctic hobo
04-05-2005, 22:38
...cut mine off a dead one so I can't help you :confused:
I keep an eye open for antler all the time when I'm out hiking, but never seem to find any. When do they shed their antlers, and will I be able to use the antler straight away, or does it need to season in anyway? All hints and tips would be helpful.
Cheers
Spamel
Round me it's around mid March. It is hard to find them though :(
They make great sockets for friction fires and excellent whistles.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images10/antlersocket1b.jpg
Buckshot
05-05-2005, 08:55
When do they shed their antlers, and will I be able to use the antler straight away, or does it need to season in anyway? All hints and tips would be helpful.
Cheers
Spamel
The time when deer cast depends on the species. What species do you have near you?
By the time they fall off they're dead so can be used straight away. If you find a recently cast antler you may get some hair attached to the base which you would need to pull off, otherwise go for it.
Cheers
Mark
They make great sockets for friction fires and excellent whistles.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images10/antlersocket1b.jpg
Doh! How did I forget bowdrill sockets? I use one myself :o
Josey Wales
17-05-2005, 20:29
You could always make knife handles out of it. You can boil antler to soften the pith and press a blade in for an easy knife handle.
http://www.primitiveways.com/pt-antlerhandleknife.html :
I have a bit more info than that somewhere, if you wish.
Must be said though... Reindeer antler is the best for this purpose as the bone marrow is more compact :cool:
I have worked with most antler in the UK, and if you use a little common sense when thinking out your project out you should have few problems.
Our ancestors worked within their limitations, ie they used what was available. A lot of the antler I have used is what I've picked up in the woods, mostly it gets used for toggles, but occaisionally you get a piece suitable for a knife handle or similar large project.
Antler is great stuf to work, don't get hung up on someone elses reccomendations, try it for yourself.
Neil
Has anyone got any antlers spare? Stuck in the tip of Cornwall, the closest I get to a deer antler is a sharp hedgehog! :o
Would be happy to pay postage (or reasonable finders fee?) :D
Have whittled most of the local shrubbery to death, now turning my attention to he local wildlife! LOL :D
Dorian Gra
20-05-2005, 15:47
Antlers are great for making stuff. I'm friendly with the local gamekeepers and because of this i have a continueous supply of them.
You can make knife handles, priests and walking sticks (amoung other things)
Best way of getting a good supply or even a couple is to get to know your local gamekeeper or someone who knows one, because they are a great source of materials which have many uses but are useless to them :D .
arctic hobo
20-05-2005, 16:41
Has anyone got any antlers spare? Stuck in the tip of Cornwall, the closest I get to a deer antler is a sharp hedgehog! :o
Would be happy to pay postage (or reasonable finders fee?) :D
Have whittled most of the local shrubbery to death, now turning my attention to he local wildlife! LOL :D
What do you need it for? I have a few rings left, the last of my reindeer antler if that's any use to you. They're about 10mm thick, but vary quite a lot.
Hey artic, thanks for the offer.
I am thinking about firesteel handle, whistle, bd socket, toggles etc. I wanted to try and expand the carving skillset a little on a new material. Somehow recyling deer antler...it just feels right if that makes any sense. :o
arctic hobo
20-05-2005, 20:30
Hey artic, thanks for the offer.
I am thinking about firesteel handle, whistle, bd socket, toggles etc. I wanted to try and expand the carving skillset a little on a new material. Somehow recyling deer antler...it just feels right if that makes any sense. :o
Carving, eh? Good luck... it's tough stuff!
Must be said though... Reindeer antler is the best for this purpose as the bone marrow is more compact :cool:
And elk is the worst as the pith is loose and porous. Makes the prettiest handles though, just not with this method. I have made bunches of these and given them away or traded for more antler.
Hedgehog
14-06-2005, 14:04
Here is a good source of antler from Mull...
http://www.stickmaker.com/
Drop John a line, I ordered a batch for knife handles & he even cut them to size for my specific needs. I got some nice Roe antlers from him too, all at a very good price compared to other places I have found in the UK.
Here are the Stag Rolls I got...
http://www.edgehog.co.uk/Antler_parts.jpg
Good to be aboard BTW :D