I've got a few whitetail antlers laying around from the last few years, and I'm interested in preserving them, and maybe doing some crafty things (knife handles, candle holders) with them. Problem is, I don't know where to start.
Is there a good site out there that starts from square one? If there is something here, I can't seem to find it.
I'm sorry if I'm posting something that y'all have seen many times. Maybe somebody could create a beginner FAQ with some common starting points?
Thanks ahead of time for any help you can provide!
Return to Beginners Category Menu
I haven't surfed the new looking for knife making or other uses for antlers. I have made a couple of chandeliers, some bookends knife handles a complete set of sculpting tools from antlers and tine components. I have seen many other novelties made with them over the years.
It may be my ignorance, but I have never used any preservative on the antlers. I have made some belt buckles out of the bases of elk antlers and done some scrimshaw work on horn material and the only "preservative" I ever used was an epoxy overcoat on some of the carving or decoration to protect it, and not the horn material itself. Any item made that is to be handled extensively should be coated to prevent staining over time. I use a two component copolymer sealer, but there may be specific products available.
Here are three sites that have a number of antler products that you can browse for ideas: www.canvastoclay.com www.antlerart.com and www,antlerchandelier.net. Just type "antler" into your search window, click on "go" and start looking over the hits. Bring your lunch..there are a lot of them.....good luck