Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Polar Bear on July 21, 2013, 02:03:50 pm

Title: Straightening Antler
Post by: Polar Bear on July 21, 2013, 02:03:50 pm

I have an antler shed from a fork horn.  I have a project that I would like to use it on but I need to take the curve out.  Is it possible to straighten an antler and if so how do I do it?

Title: Re: Straightening Antler
Post by: JW_Halverson on July 21, 2013, 02:59:16 pm

I think you can get very slight amounts of bend to it with heat, but it is not like cow horn/keratin...antler is more akin to bone. 

The Vikings supposedly had a way to induce a little curve into narwhale tusks and sold them as "unicorn horns" to southern suckers.

Title: Re: Straightening Antler
Post by: Polar Bear on July 21, 2013, 03:25:40 pm

Thanks J.W.

Title: Re: Straightening Antler
Post by: madcrow on July 21, 2013, 03:50:53 pm

Try boiling the part you want bent for about four or five hours.  then lock it in the jaws of a vise just tight enough to hold it and try to slowly straighten it.  You will also need a way to tie it to something once you get it started bending so that it don't draw back to the original shape when it dries.  I have done this on skull mounts to even the antlers out when one side sets higher than the other, but I usually only move them an inch or two.  Good luck.

Title: Re: Straightening Antler
Post by: Polar Bear on July 21, 2013, 04:04:29 pm

I will give that a try. Thanks.