What to do with an antler???

[kpkot]

I wanted to try something new. Cammilus knife company which is a new york company went out of bussiness and on ebay they have alot of knife blanks. They come just the stamped steel, so you have to put an edge on them.

Here is what i started with. Just a blank knife without an edge.


This is the knife with a rough edge, and a ground down handle portion so i could fit it on the antler.


Here is my progress thus far. I want to figure out something to put between the handle and the blade. Im not sure what i want to do, but i believe it will give it a more finished appearence. Any suggestions?

[wooly]

I see you drilled some new holes in the tang but I'm failing to see how the antler handle is secured to it. May have gotten ahead of yourself if your looking to install a functional bolster or gaurd.

[kpkot]

I was going to use epoxy. I drilled out the center of the antler and i was going to fill the hole with epoxy. I drilled holes in the tang just so the epoxy was more of a secured fit. Not sure. Never done this before. Wooly you ever done it?

[wooly]

Have one in progress, will post before and after pics here when complete.
Yes, i've done it a few times the wrong way and the better way. No pro yet , but a sharp skinner thru trial and error.
Got a nice elk federation blank to build on. Research helped a bunch. Hang tight and look around if your looking to make a functional gutter/skinner. otherwise
,...stay tuned to my learning curve.

[kpkot]

Have you heard of soaking the antler in water to soften it and then put the tang in ?

[wooly]

I've heard of it- never tried it.