Show Me Your Antler Tip Overlays

[far rider]

from the back, Buffalo, Ivory, Elk, Mastadon
 

 

 

 

[Greg Szalewski]

WC, I like that hat too. If he forgets it at my house he won't get it back.  

[Whip]

Yeah, I'm not saying antler tips are bad or anything.  Just something with them causes more troubles than some other kinds of tips.  But really we're still talking a small percentage of failures.  The vast majority of any kind of tips are fine.  

I wonder if the real problem on some is using antler that is too fresh?  I would think after it has dried completely it should stabilize enough not to have problems.

Nice looking bow Rainer!  Be careful you don't lay that one down in the grass when you are done shooting!     :p

[Greg Szalewski]

Joe, THATS NOT FUNNY!!!  

[Charlie Lamb]

My experience with antler falls along the lines of what Joe has mentioned.

I much prefer horn and have had no problems with it. In the past I've had some antler with issues. That was a long time ago and I do know more about glues and gluing now, but it's left a bad taste in my mouth for antler.

I always use "super glue" (Hot Stuff brand) for my overlays and like to prep the gluing surface of the antler by sanding then applying a coat of thin glue (I really like LocTite 420 for this part).
I then sand that and apply a second coat.

Once dry I go through the normal glue process.

It's easy to "starve the joints" on tips so use light pressure.

[Easykeeper]

The mastadon tip is fabulous!  Just think how old it is...

I had a Monarch longbow about twenty years ago that lost an antler tip.  A little epoxy fixer 'er up.  I like antler tips and will take my chances.  I think they add a nice touch on a bow.

[Lamey]

you guys sure make it hard on a fella that wants to stop buying bows....   just when i think im settled and happy, I see a post like this and want to order another longbow with Elk tips.

[Whip]

Originally posted by Greg Szalewski:
Joe, THATS NOT FUNNY!!!      

I won't tell anyone if you won't.  

[Tater 2]

If I request Antler tips on a bow I ask the Bowyer if they have access to stabilized Antler or Horn. Most of the knife makers I know personally, have their Antler or Horn stabilized before using it for a knife handle, left over pieces make for great tip overlays.
 

[Bladepeek]

One good thing about the mastadon ivory. You know it's well aged! I really like it for knife handles, some of the colors are fantastic!