RGraff Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Can elk and/or deer horn be too old to use for knife handles? I have a good selection I was rummaging through yesterday and came across some elk horn that is quite old (24 years) and bleached white due to being stored outside for a time. For the past five years or so it's been in the barn. Still good to use or no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 stabilize it and away ya go, Use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 What he said; treat it like you would a great looking burl that was a bit friable. You may even want to experiment with a different colour for your stabilizer to give it a veined appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmccustomknives Posted July 14, 2014 Share Posted July 14, 2014 Old weather cracked antler can really set off a knife handle! Got 'em, use 'em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Yup a patinated bowie with a weathered handle can *look* like an original if enough care is taken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGraff Posted July 15, 2014 Author Share Posted July 15, 2014 Excellent news! Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I love old antlers. If the outside layer is chalky, sand it down til you reach the harder part. Here's a knife I made earlier. The antler handle was in horrible condition from the looks of it, but I just sanded down below the funky exterior and got this beautiful coloration. It's as hard as any new antler I've ever used even though the pith was almost completely rotted out and the outer bark was powdery. I filled the center with epoxy and this made it way too handle-heavy. Should have put some styrofoam packing peanuts in there first! It kind of reminds me of some of the fossilized bone/tusk that I've seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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