Deer antler

[stuart f]

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.

 

[hootchi]

you could make a bit into a pressure flaker for flint knapping or part of a scandi handle.

cheers

 

[Snufkin]

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.

 

[Snufkin]

ohh buttons too

 

[Toddy]

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

 

[Snufkin]

I forgot wedges for splitting wood.

 

[davek]

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]

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.

 

[hootchi]

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.

 

[arctic hobo]

Now thats a nice idea. I may try that if you don't mind.

Mind? Of course not! Won't be all made-for-you-as-a-gift-from-the-tribe like mine though

 

[gurthang]

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]

lanyard beads

 

[gurthang]

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

 

[stuart f]

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.

 

[spamel]

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]

...cut mine off a dead one so I can't help you

 

[Snufkin]

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

 

[Hoodoo]

They make great sockets for friction fires and excellent whistles.

 

[Buckshot]

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

 

[Snufkin]

They make great sockets for friction fires and excellent whistles.

Doh! How did I forget bowdrill sockets? I use one myself