Monty
Group Buy Coordinator
an ice cream scoop handle?
Just curious because I had someone ask for one today
Just curious because I had someone ask for one today
Would you use antler for...
- Thread starter Monty
- Start date
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Roland Street
Member
Antler for an Ice cream scoop
I looked online and apparently you can. It is very hard to drill and you will most likely need to fill in tiny holes. Sharp tools will be needed. A carbide chisel works as well as standard turning tools. A CA finish should fill in the holes and give it a nice finish. You can sand it like acrylic using microfiber or wet sand it with standard sandpaper. Antler will supposedly develop a glossy shine. I don't see any reason why not to. I myself think that is a very good idea. If you don't want to use a CA finish I would recommend HUT crystal coat. It is a high friction polish, but it also fills in holes. I have never turned antler, but I will in the near future. I hope the scoop works out well.
Thank You,
Roland Street
I looked online and apparently you can. It is very hard to drill and you will most likely need to fill in tiny holes. Sharp tools will be needed. A carbide chisel works as well as standard turning tools. A CA finish should fill in the holes and give it a nice finish. You can sand it like acrylic using microfiber or wet sand it with standard sandpaper. Antler will supposedly develop a glossy shine. I don't see any reason why not to. I myself think that is a very good idea. If you don't want to use a CA finish I would recommend HUT crystal coat. It is a high friction polish, but it also fills in holes. I have never turned antler, but I will in the near future. I hope the scoop works out well.
Thank You,
Roland Street
1080Wayne
Member
Have to think about that one . I do use it for S&P shakers .
nava1uni
Member
I use it for handles. It works best if it is large enough so that you don't have to cut into the porous inside too much. I seal them with CA so water cannot be absorbed and bacteria cannot grow.
TimS124
Member
Yes...and I'd most likely use the base of the antler with the wide spot (where antler met skull) away from the scoop (mostly just for the "look" I think would be best). Depending on which scoop kit you use, you may be OK with a decent chunk of deer antler, but I would expect to likely prefer Elk antler (larger diameter).
If you've never turned antler, be advised that the dust is very bad for your lungs (where "very bad" works out to something along the lines of inhaling asbestos just for "fun"). Wear proper dust protection (and the crummy little paper masks do not count as "proper").
Seal the ends VERY well and seal the entire surface as well. I would do very little turning! Mostly just to shape the end near the scoop so it flows well visually.
Antler finishes well by hand when working with its natural shape. A normal BLO/CA finish can be rubbed on by hand fairly easily. I've even hand polished with normal MM pads and HUT's Ultra Gloss finish. Takes very little effort to get a decent finish on natural antler.
I would not recommend putting the resulting ice cream scoop in the dishwasher or soaking it in water during/after use (or at any time). It should be rinsed and hand washed promptly after use (OK, after the ice cream has been eaten).
If you've never turned antler, be advised that the dust is very bad for your lungs (where "very bad" works out to something along the lines of inhaling asbestos just for "fun"). Wear proper dust protection (and the crummy little paper masks do not count as "proper").
Seal the ends VERY well and seal the entire surface as well. I would do very little turning! Mostly just to shape the end near the scoop so it flows well visually.
Antler finishes well by hand when working with its natural shape. A normal BLO/CA finish can be rubbed on by hand fairly easily. I've even hand polished with normal MM pads and HUT's Ultra Gloss finish. Takes very little effort to get a decent finish on natural antler.
I would not recommend putting the resulting ice cream scoop in the dishwasher or soaking it in water during/after use (or at any time). It should be rinsed and hand washed promptly after use (OK, after the ice cream has been eaten).
Monty
Group Buy Coordinator
I've been using antler for pens and bottle stoppers for over 10 years, just wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to use animal byproducts around food, so I know to take precautions while working with it and I always use CA to seal it.
Mr Vic
Member
Mannie, I think the biggest concern would be insuring it's well sealed. It would be very easy for the Ice Cream (milk) to get into the marrow and bacteria to grow. Other wise I think it would look awesome. Maybe make a domed brass/copper of aluminum cap and epoxy it on the scoop end to ensure a good seal.