finishes for antler

[walkabout]

just finishing up my first knife, an antler handled skinner, and was wondering what kind of finish i can use. i had intended to use CA on it, but after looking it over i found i would have a hard time spreading the CA into the raised areas and low ones. any thoughts on this or an alternative finish?

[R H Clark]

I would just use mineral oil or a paste wax and rub down with clean cloth.

I have dyed antler a little using kiwi shoe polish but just a little applied with a Q-tip and then rubbed down with cloth.

If you want color best to use potassium permangnate before assembling the knife.

[walkabout]

thanks. im probably going to leave the color as it is, it has really nice color variances. i had wondered if tung oil would work, i use it alot making bows and like the results but wasnt sure about using it with antler.

[R H Clark]

To me,the more natural an antler finish looks the better.That is why I would stay away from CA or tung oil.

[skullworks]

I wipe a coat of Danish oil on mine...some use mineral oil on them. I think mineral oil is suggested for bone and antler. Some use Renaissance wax also.

[Ragnarok Forge]

A good coat of paste was or danish oil both work well.  Buff them a bit and your done.

[walkabout]

thanks for all the replies, im going to try the paste wax and see how it turns out.