This spring I hope to find some sheds and then turn them into projects like picture frames, book ends, door handles, etc. Anyways, what is the best way to produce a finish quality cut on antlers? I don't want to have them look rough and novice, but smooth, polished and neat. So for the taxidermists out there, what is the best way to cut, sand, etc antlers?
Steven,
I use a dremmel tool to cut my antlers and have had good success with that. Around here the deer are already losing their antlers I wouldn't wait until spring to start looking. I have already found a couple of sheds and have lots of pics on my deer cam of bucks that have already lost both antlers. I usually start activelylooking for sheds the first weekend in february and continue into march. If you wait too long around here they get chewed up by squirrels and mice.
Good luck,
Chad
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WE INTERUPT THIS MARRIAGE TO BRING YOU
HUNTING SEASON!
We spend most of our time tryin NOT to cut them.No matter how you cut them, the cuts will have to be polished if you want them to look polished. Some sanding with progressively finer sandpaper, followed by steel wool would probably give you want your looking for. However, some antlers are more porous towards the center and will not polish up at all.
I'm not sure I understand cutting antlers with a Dremel. A fine tooth saw of any kind will minmize the amount of polishing needed.
Cutting Antlers
No matter how you cut them, the cuts will have to be polished if you want them to look polished. Some sanding with progressively finer sandpaper, followed by steel wool would probably give you want your looking for. However, some antlers are more porous towards the center and will not polish up at all. 
