Working with Antler

[Bartooon]

I have had some antler kicking around for a while and inspired by the the article in Bushcraft magazine I decided to have a go at making a little Sami container.

Two things rapidly became apparent:-
1) Just how hard and dense antler is
&
2) How much it stinks when you try to cut or work it!

I only have access to the usual tools (nothing fancy like pillar drills) so does anyone have any hints or tips for a newbie?

 

[Niels]

It only stinks when you use powertools. You don't need powertools. And yes it is very hard and dense, depending on the species, reindeer being the hardest (That I know of)

 

[Dogoak]

The middle is relatively soft compared with the outer. A hacksaw is ideal for cutting it.

It stinks, think of drilled teeth and then multiply.

Make sure you wear a suitable dust mask, the dust is carcinogenic.

Have fun

 

[WULF]

Am i wierd that i like the smell of antler when drilled Ive made many antler whistles in the past that turn out very well.

You should be able to core the middle out with a sharp knife,,the outer is much harder.
power tools are a bonus..

 

[Niels]

Make sure you wear a suitable dust mask, the dust is carcinogenic.

Have fun

What is carcinogenic?
EDIT: Looked it up. I refuse to believe that without evidence.

I've never had problems with reindeer dust. (As long as I didn't get it in my eyes).
You know people in China even sniff reindeer dust for some particular reason.

 

[Perrari]

Hacksaw, files & various grades of sandpaper should do most of the work for you.

 

[Dogoak]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinogen

 

[Samon]

yep, it smells rank! like friggin nasty melting hair and finger nails!

I used a file, rasp, sand paper and a hand drill for my bit's I played with. that way you don't get any nasty toxic fine dust to breath in and kill you!

 

[Niels]

that way you don't get any nasty toxic fine dust to breath in and kill you!

Can somebody show me a study, or something to prove it is really toxic? Dogs chew antlers, they don't die. Without reason to believe it it's just hypochondria.

 

[Bartooon]

"Make sure you wear a suitable dust mask, the dust is carcinogenic." Eeeeek!

"Am i wierd that i like the smell of antler when drilled" Yes

"It only stinks when you use power tools" And hacksaws!

Thanks for the tips guys. Glad it isn't just me that finds the smell disgusting! I quite fancy doing a bit of Sami-style scrimshawing too, but maybe I'm trying to run before I can walk.......

 

[Samon]

Um, I believe eating it is fine, but breathing in the fine particals into your lungs can cause disease. same with any biological particals from wood and bone etc all apparently have the potential to fester in your lungs and do no good.

 

[Perrari]

All dust bad for your lungs. A mask/ respirator is a must when using belt grinders, the air will be thick with fine dust. Using hand tools will minimise the dust, but I would still wear a mask for sanding by hand especially if indoors.

 

[Albus Culter]

Am i wierd that i like the smell of antler when drilled Ive made many antler whistles in the past that turn out very well.

You should be able to core the middle out with a sharp knife,,the outer is much harder.
power tools are a bonus..

Must be a Yorkshire thing as I don't mind it either

Yeh stick with native type deer if you want to hollow it out as the marrow is much easier to cut/drill leaving a nice natural wall thickness. Solid stuff like reindeer is much harder to work.

 

[WULF]

Must be a Yorkshire thing as I don't mind it either

yorkshire wierdo's cool!

 

[Hibrion]

I sawed through some Moose tip the other day to make a button. I was using a hacksaw and it was time consuming and tough work. There was no 'centre' to it, if you understand me, so it was all the dense 'outer' material. In the end that made for a stronger button!

 

[lou1661]

EDIT: Looked it up. I refuse to believe that without evidence.

You know people in China even sniff reindeer dust for some particular reason.

Some people in China and the far east believe that Rhino body parts are good for them, they don't believe in evidence so I wouldn't take it for granted