Stabalizing and finishing antler?

[r_trip551]

I am in the process of trying to make a knife handle from a fallow deer shed given to by a friend for a knife blank he has.

I have a few questions?
1. Do I have to stabelize the antler? 2. What is the best method? 3. after it's made how do you finish it to give it a nice professional look?
I am also going to do a custom sheath designed to enhance the knife.....this also is a first attempt as is the handle. I hope this experience will help get me started making my own sole authorship knives.

[Woodchuck Forge]

You need to at least remove the pith from the inside of the antler and fill it with epoxy. There are many ways to finish it, one is to do nothing, another is to hit the high spots and give it a nice contrast, or you can polish it all the way out. It all depends on the look you are going for. Take a look at some of the finished knives on the forums. It will give you some ideas.
Here are a couple.



Chuck

[W. Leavitt]

I usually just drill my tang hole, cover one end with some tape and fill the hole with thin super glue and gently heat the antler with a hair dryer. You'll have to add more super glue as it moves into the antler.

I dye my less than colorful antlers with some brown leather dye and usually finish with 100% carnuba wax. This stuff isn't like what you use on your car, it has to be burned in with a buffer.

Will

[r_trip551]

Thank both of you for your advice.
What type super glue and where may I purchase it?
Where can I get the carnuba wax?

[W. Leavitt]

I use "Zap" thin super glue available from hobby stores, the carnuba I order 1 pound blocks off of eBay.

Will