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How can i make a buck antler knife?
I am thinking about making a buck antler knife from sheeded ones i found hunting in Idaho this year. i have the blade i just can’t figure out how to get it into the antler
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#2 written by Jasmine s 2 years ago
what you would do is the following. make a burr hole of the appropriate size then using a dremel widen it accordingly. go slowly and carefully with it so you do not make you’re holes too large. using a good epoxy secure the blade into the hole that you created. wait for a couple of days for the epoxy to be compleatly dry and there you have it, a nice new knife.
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#3 written by Ret. Sgt. 2 years ago
I happen to make knives on ocassion. I have only made about 150 and alot will depend on what type of blade you have. Does the blade have a “stick tang” or full tang. Either way is ok.
I am assuming you want a complete solid one piece handle possibly with the crown polished for the butt.
If you have a stick tang on the blade, drill a corresponding size hole into the handle. Allow room for spacer material and a hilt. I use nickle silver for hilts since it tarnishes less than brass. The spacer material keeps the gaps from becoming a problem and also can keep the grip/antler from chipping at that joint.
You can either notch each side of the tang ( to better hold the epoxy you will use, or drill a hole throught the tang and use a pin. These directions are pretty much for a stick tang. If it is a full tang, then you can grind down the full tang to avoid splitting the antler and making two halves.
It is kind of difficult to explain this in writing and having the right equipment helps. It is not particularly hard but being precise makes a final product very nice. Even bleached antler can be polished somewhat. I just happen to have the equipment so making these things isnt that hard. You’d be surprised what they can sell for.
If I spent 50 bucks making a bowie knife, I could raffle or sell it for 3-5 times that price. I dont do it to make money though.
I wish you luck. Can be a very fun hobby if you like the smell of burnt antler and bone and epoxy.
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#4 written by CIH(Ret) 2 years ago
If the tang is full width, that is it is designed to be seen at the top and bottom of the handle, you will have to make “scales” from you deer antlers. A scale is a slab of deer antler wide enough to cover the tang with a little extra left over at the top and bottom. Put the handguard, if you are using one, on the tang and sand the antler to fit up nice and tight to the handguard with no gaps. Use epoxy and knife handle bolts, available from any knife makers supply store, to fasten the scales onto the tang. Use a fine metal file to work the scale down until it is even with the top and bottom of the tang and then use sandpaper to smooth off the edges where you have been filing.
If the tang is not full width, you will have to drill a hole into the antler large enough and deep enough for the tang to fit into it but not be loose. If you will be using a hand guard, put it on the knife blade and then put the antler on. File and sand the antler until it fits up to the hand guard and there are no gaps. Fill the hole with epoxy and insert the tang into the antler. When it has set up, drill and insert cross pins. Dress the handle to suit your tastes.
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take the handle off the knife that you have , it will be easier if the knife is not a folder
split the antlers in half, making sure that you have plenty to play with
smooth each half so they have no ups or downs. the epoxy one half to the knife , when it dries, drill out any holes then epoxy the other side.
after they dry, insert the brass pins with epoxy and let that dry, then sand the edges and excess pins down, buff it out and you are done