bone handle

[tompdw]

What is TSP?

[brucegodlesky]

tri-sodium phosphate, found in hardware stores. Used for washing walls etc before painting, plastering, etc.

[agsolder]

Questions-- what's the danger with bone dust? Mad cow? Also, related, somewhat-- friend brought me back a lovely navaja from Spain, but in the dry air of New Mexico, a hairline crack is appearing. Will mineral oil stop it, d'you s'spose?

[Dodge]

I did a Google search for bone dust hazards and came up with very little specifically relating to breathing bone dust, but any dust inhaled into the lungs is potentially a hazard. That being said, this is what I have been told by a couple of people that should know; The tiny particles of bone, when inhaled, stick to the tissues in your lungs (as does about anything inhaled). Being organic and foreign to the body, they can be the start of an infection. I'm no doctor and I don't even play one on TV but I plan to ask my doctor next time I see him! Anyway, the point is, why take a chance? Dust masks are a lot cheaper than a hospital stay or even a doctor's visit and a lot less of a nuisance than a lung disease

[Dodge]

Ok, just got some more input. Bone contains calcium. Calcium in the lungs is not a good thing.

[ThomasPowers]

I was told that dust from antler or bone can have the calcium leach out in the moist lungs and reprecipitate in sharp spicules damaging the lungs as the move. *any* dust is bad for the lungs though.

Miles: mineral oil will help with the drying and will not hurt the metal---can you immerse it or is there other materials that should not be oiled in it?

[agsolder]

Thomas-- Thanks-- the way navajas seem to be made-- at least this one is and so is a similar one, same maker, Exposito, is, they stick a little wooden shim up against the spring to protect the edge of the blade when closed. I doubt the mineral oil would hurt it. Seems to me there might be a considerable risk from a slow virus like mad cow, and maybe chronic wasting disease getting into the chitinous extrusions such as horns and antlers. I just milled out a slot in a small deer antler to receive a blade and wore my respirator. Thought you'd be coming by after the smiterama last Sat to get those 2x4s I called about....

[ThomasPowers]

Miles; I had to hightail it down to Albuquerque to make a set time rondevous with my youngest to get some medication she left at home to her. I was late as it is as the meeting ran long. Sorry

Thomas