Tools for antler and horn

[pumbaa]

I picked up a couple of bits of antler and horn at the wilderness gathering with the intention of making myself a new set of septum horns for myself .
I am not sure what the best tools would be for shaping and smoothing these materials would be . Please could somebody advise me on methods for working with these materials ?
Cheers
Pumbaa

 

[sharp88]

Forgive me if im wrong, but wouldn't a medium file and coarse to fine grades of wet 'n' dry do the trick?

 

[Snufkin]

Yep files and sandpaper and then steel wool for the final polish. Also wear a dust mask as you really shouldn't breath in the dust.

 

[pumbaa]

Will a coping saw be ok for cutting it all into manageable lumps ? Can you warm it up too bend or reshape it ?
Cheers
Pumbaa

 

[sharp88]

Ooooops Iv been breathing in dust all this time. I usually pull my shirt over my face after my chest starts hurting though......

 

[Keith_Beef]

Will a coping saw be ok for cutting it all into manageable lumps ? Can you warm it up too bend or reshape it ?
Cheers
Pumbaa

A coping saw is good for cutting antler and horn.

Horn can be softened with heat; either over a flame (but be careful you don't scorch it) or in steam or boiling water. I've read that you can even weld pieces of horn together by heating them... You might be bale to do this chemically, if you can find the right solvent for keratin.

I don't thin you can do this with antler.

I use a coping saw or fret saw, a small knife (used as a scraper), 80 qnd 120 grit abrasive ribbon and 000 steel wool, finished by wiping down with glycerine.

K.

 

[sharp88]

A coping saw . Thas a bit light for heavy work. I thought they were more for thin firbre boards and like acrylic type plastics. I would of thought a hacksaw would be a better choice.

 

[jdlenton]

everyones got it just about spot on with the files, wet or dry and wire wool and oil of what ever description you use to finish i use baby oil ( no comments please )

as for saws i use a bone saw that fits in my hacksaw frame then a course hacksaw and as the work gets lighter i use a jeweler's piercing saw for the delicate work in a skilled hand it can be used to sculpt and file too

one word of caution about bone and antler in piercings i have something in the back of my head that says this is not good practice i can't quantify this but pumbaa please check this out if my niggle is correct you can get some very nasty infections this way be careful mate.

ooh just a though but I've seen fake ivory i.e. plastic that looks like ivory maybe this would be a better (safer) bet.

 

[bent-stick]

Micromesh in various grades is great for shaping and polishing - not cheap but lasts ages because you can either use it wet or wash it after use so it doesn't get clogged..

 

[leon-b]

Will a coping saw be ok for cutting it all into manageable lumps ? Can you warm it up too bend or reshape it ?
Cheers
Pumbaa

you can snap antler by scorching it with an ember on the end of a stick, it makes it brittle and easier to snap
leon

 

[sharp88]

Walnut oils my do-it-all, when it comes to finishes. S'great for everything! Not not that !

 

[Draven]

one word of caution about bone and antler in piercings i have something in the back of my head that says this is not good practice i can't quantify this but pumbaa please check this out if my niggle is correct you can get some very nasty infections this way be careful mate.

ooh just a though but I've seen fake ivory i.e. plastic that looks like ivory maybe this would be a better (safer) bet.

Yeah, I'd like to second that - you'll need to polish it to a VERY fine finish and then disinfect etc. I wouldn't use antler, personally, but I know that buffalo horn is used... my concern about antler would be the porous stuff in the middle, it's probably great at soaking up germs - and holding them.
If you don't mind going for an imitation, it'd probably be safer, but I'd personally understand you wanting one made out of horn. More satisfying
Just be really careful... make sure you clean everything well, and hopefully it'll be OK. Although you really shouldn't take my word for it; my solution to stop my piercings getting infected was to take them all out Several months for my nose and about a month for my lip and they're still not closed completely....