Need Some Oosik Advice

[gables]

I have decided to take Jerry Fisk's advice from a recent hammer in and just dive in and use some of the handle materials I have been afraid to try.

Once I get walrus oosik, should i send it off for stabilizing in its raw form or should I do something to it before stabilizing? Would drilling a 1/4" hole to start my tang hole be a good idea before stabilizing?

The main advice I have found so far is use a fresh belt, grind slow and do not build up any heat. Anything else I should know?

[dcmeckel]

An OOSIK? are you serious? Man I haven't seen an Oosik since I was in Alaska!Now here's a fellow Texican makin a knife outta one. I swear,is there anything you knife makers won't use for handle material!?lol

[Doug Campbell]

Oosik is pretty easy to work with, most I've had is fossilized and about as stable as a rock. Can't imagine needing to do anything more to it. It drills pretty easy, just like in your grinding/sanding use sharp tools.