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Author Topic: cutting antler for knives  (Read 3171 times)

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Offline mspink

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cutting antler for knives
« on: November 17, 2011, 12:49:13 am »
hey guys was wondering what you guys use to cut and shape antler for making knife handles.
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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2011, 12:57:55 am »
Hacksaw or bandsaw works pretty good.  After that you can use rasps, files, and a sharp knife for shaping.  If you work down into the spongy interior, soak it with thin superglue and let cure before continuing.

Don't inhale the dust, bad for the lungs.  'Sides, it stinks.
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Offline Tower

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2011, 01:01:42 am »
I prefer a band saw. Its the easiest to use. It also does a great job!
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Offline mspink

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2011, 01:23:17 pm »
it doesnt dull the bandsaw?
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Offline Pat B

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2011, 01:38:55 pm »
Not if you take it slow and don't force the antler through. I use my bandsaw all the time for making tip overlays and a few knife handles.
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Offline YosemiteBen

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2011, 09:14:50 pm »
Bandsaw works good - you can dedicate one blade to cutting antler.  A dremel or craft tool works well too.  they make fiberglass reinfoced cutting wheels and burr grinders that work. a cut off wheel on an angle grinder will do as well.
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Offline mullet

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2011, 10:29:53 pm »
Bandsaw and 1" belt sander to fine tune,
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Offline Pappy

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #7 on: November 18, 2011, 08:35:35 am »
Bandsaw/belt sander  to start:) Fine File and sand paper for the finish work.  :)
   Pappy
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Offline YosemiteBen

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #8 on: November 18, 2011, 01:37:25 pm »
you could also look fro a metal band saw blade - they are a little bit harder than wood blades. My angle grinder works well when shaping the antler depending on what you want.
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Offline JackCrafty

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2011, 09:08:18 pm »
Before I got my bandsaw, I used to use a saber saw for that stuff.
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Offline soy

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2011, 02:12:25 am »
Tryd usen the bench grinder, P U it stunk up the shop bad :P
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Offline gstoneberg

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2011, 08:00:09 am »
Yea, both antler and bone are real stinky when being worked.  I used a band saw on the antler handle I just did.

George
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Offline Prarie Bowyer

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2011, 04:18:39 am »
I use a band saw  with a wood cutting blade for resawing.  It's big agressive teeth.  The heat is the issue.  The agressive blade cutts quickly before the bone gets hot.

Then I use a 50Grt sanding belt on a sanding drum that I made for my lathe.  I run it on a low speed  to reduce the heat friction.  after that it's files and sand paper.  It's not a bad process. 

Unfortunately that grinding stone is probably impregnated and will now stink when used with anything till it all burns out.
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Offline Bill Skinner

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #13 on: November 23, 2011, 10:14:17 pm »
And if you don't have a bandsaw, you can soak it in water for a week and use a rasp and a rat tail file.  It will smell like rotten meat while it is wet but the smell will go away when it dries.  Use vinegar to get the smell off your hands.
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Offline soy

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Re: cutting antler for knives
« Reply #14 on: November 24, 2011, 12:23:31 am »
10-4 on the wheel being plugged ...live and learn  ::)
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