KKingery
Member
OK, I've never turned anything but wood. A friend is bringing me some deer antlers tomorrow (fresh off the noggin).....do these things need to age, dry out....how long?? Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Originally posted by Fred in NC
<br />We need to raise deer with straight antlers !!! Or find a way to straighten them out before cutting.
O.K. I htought about it.Originally posted by Rudy Vey
<br />Has anyone here ever thought about a disease called "Chronic Wasting Disease" of the deer?? It is supposedly similar to the Mad Cow Disease (BSE)in cattle and Creutzfeld-Jacob's disease in humans. Since someone mentioned that antler is bone with marrow and blood inside, I would not cut, drill or turn antler that I do not know where is comes from or that is freshly hunted. I heard this disease is mainly in the Rocky states, but made it's way somehow to the midwest (like Wisconsin etc). Remember years ago in Europe, and specially in England, people were warned not to eat certain parts of the animal, like brains, spinal cord, eyes, marrow....
Just a thought..a remember also reading an article some 5 years or so ago in Field and Stream about some hunters from the south that got some deer or elk in the Rockies and then died later all. CWD was then mentioned and it was the first time I heard about it.
Rudy
Originally posted by ldoforcno
<br />I've been turning quite a bit of antler and I can tell you, old antlers are much better. The first pen I turned was with some antler that had been left outside for several years. It turned beautifully and came out looking like marble! That got me hooked, so I contacted my neighborhood deer butcher shop and got some antler from them. It was like night and day! The fresh antler is very "chippy" and "punky." Not much fun to turn. I even got some antler that was several years old, but had been protected indoors the whole time. Not much better. I guess the trick is to let it weather outside. Got a few years to spare?[]
Originally posted by Eaglesc
<br />At a show this weekend I was asked why the deer antler pens cost more than wood pens and I told the young lady it was because of the length of time it took to steam them to starighten them out.
I winked at her and told her I was kidding.
I'd like to see if someone has steamed them to straighten them.
It would make things a lot easier.
Daniel, you're not just pulling our legs are you?
I have read that water buffalo pens should be soaked before turning but never knew why,don't think that has anything to do with straightening.
Originally posted by Rifleman
<br />
I am a pre-1840 historical reenactor and a lot of the people who do this make most of their own accessories from natural materials, including antler. Heating and bending horn, as from a cow or bison, is common. But I have never heard of bending antler. In long lengths it does have some 'spring' to it but it does come back. I'm not saying this is impossible, I've just never heard of it being done. And with wacky, innovative guys I hang with, I'm sure someone would have tried it and bragged if successful.
I believe turning on a lathe is the only way to 'straighten' antler. If you want straighter pieces, try to get long points from moose.
Originally posted by Eaglesc
<br />At a show this weekend I was asked why the deer antler pens cost more than wood pens and I told the young lady it was because of the length of time it took to steam them to starighten them out.
I winked at her and told her I was kidding.
I'd like to see if someone has steamed them to straighten them.
It would make things a lot easier.
Daniel, you're not just pulling our legs are you?
I have read that water buffalo pens should be soaked before turning but never knew why,don't think that has anything to do with straightening.
Originally posted by Rifleman
<br />
Got some replies from my other list. Those who have tried have not had success with steaming or boiling antler to bend/straighten it. Nor with other methods. One person asked if antler was bone. I am not sure if it is or how to classify it. On the other hand, I do seem to remember a grade school science experiment where bone was soaked in vinegar and made soft. It rehardened with rinsing and drying. Might be worth a try.
Originally posted by Rifleman
<br />
I am a pre-1840 historical reenactor and a lot of the people who do this make most of their own accessories from natural materials, including antler. Heating and bending horn, as from a cow or bison, is common. But I have never heard of bending antler. In long lengths it does have some 'spring' to it but it does come back. I'm not saying this is impossible, I've just never heard of it being done. And with wacky, innovative guys I hang with, I'm sure someone would have tried it and bragged if successful.
I believe turning on a lathe is the only way to 'straighten' antler. If you want straighter pieces, try to get long points from moose.
Originally posted by Eaglesc
<br />At a show this weekend I was asked why the deer antler pens cost more than wood pens and I told the young lady it was because of the length of time it took to steam them to starighten them out.
I winked at her and told her I was kidding.
I'd like to see if someone has steamed them to straighten them.
It would make things a lot easier.
Daniel, you're not just pulling our legs are you?
I have read that water buffalo pens should be soaked before turning but never knew why,don't think that has anything to do with straightening.
Originally posted by KKingery
<br />OK, I've never turned anything but wood. A friend is bringing me some deer antlers tomorrow (fresh off the noggin).....do these things need to age, dry out....how long?? Any input would be greatly appreciated!