How wouldyou prepare the bone or antler for a knife handle? I heard you can soak an antler in a bucket of water for a month to soften the inside so you can insert the blade, is bone the same way? I wasnt sure where to post this so if I am in the wrong area feel free to move it.
Ya I have heard that you are supposed to soak it so it expandes. That way when you stick the blade inside the bone hardens and you dont even have to use glue most of the time.
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I have done a few knifes but have never soaked the antler , I split it with a band saw and smoth and shape with belt sander , b4 I put the antler on the knife I put a thin layer of jbweld and then fasten with brass pins , then use a ping hammer to flair the pins to secure permanently .http://www.texas-hunters.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10028/normal_DSC05058.JPG
I believe my uncle that makes knives with antler handles just drills a hole through, then inserts the end of the blade through the hole. He has made up his own molds for the bolsters at the ends of the handle, which he fills with aluminum, then grinds them into shape.
I have done a few knifes but have never soaked the antler , I split it with a band saw and smoth and shape with belt sander , b4 I put the antler on the knife I put a thin layer of jbweld and then fasten with brass pins , then use a ping hammer to flair the pins to secure permanently .http://www.texas-hunters.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10028/normal_DSC05058.JPG
bone and antler handles
