Thread: What do I need to know about deer horn?

Use good ventilation and a face mask as the dust or shavings can be problematic

Originally Posted by DJ's Timber

Use good ventilation and a face mask as the dust or shavings can be problematic

... and it stinks when being worked, but the final product is worth the effort

Try to do it after it's left the deer. Much easier that way

Russell.

As Russell has said detatchment from the deer is essential. The others have covered the other things pretty well. The dust is a definate problem so please wear a dust mask. Only other thing that i would have to add is, have plenty of Thin CA on hand if you cut into the fibrous part of the antler to fill the pores up. But if you can handle the smell of burnt finger nails all will be good

Originally Posted by ElizaLeahy

What do I need to know about deer horn? In terms of turning it into a pen.

Thanks

Hi Eliza, drills and turns quite easily with normal tools but stinks when sanding--oh and by the way they are called antlers, the difference being horns grow from the inside to the outside while antlers grow and calcify from the outside towards the inside.
What specie of antler do you have?
Al.

how do you know what burnt finger nails smell like ?

Originally Posted by ss_11000

how do you know what burnt finger nails smell like ?

You wear a hole in the sandpaper when you are sanding and then you get a wiff of burning finger nail. (Also smalls a bit like burning hair, and burning tooth. DAMHIK. )

Originally Posted by tea lady

... and burning tooth. DAMHIK. )

You've smelt a burning tooth?

Make sure the isn't attached to it.





( BoomerangInfo already wrote that )

Hmmm !! probably not "cheep" and some are very "wet" can only work with them when it's "reining" hehe

I have a tiny bit, probably make one pen out of it. Bidding on another bit on ebay. Don't know what kind.

It will be a while either way. I have pneumonia. Means no turning

Thanks for the info.

Hey, Eliza, get well soon. OK?

soth

If its coming from Overseas, you may have a problem with Oz Customs.

The best antler for cutting up is from Red or Sambar deer, commercially it used to come from India but the deer varieties are all over the place since the 1800's.

Definitely dust mask stuff, wash clothes etc. You are dealing with organic material that is not self disinfecting like wood, and the antler could have come from road kill or been kicking round a paddock for a year or two & be full of 'stuff' - ick.

Instead of cutting up the antlers, you could stick them all together with a hot glue gun and make something really attractive like this...



or this...



Antler does turn nicely and polishes up particularly well. As advised, be aware of the dust.