knife handle question

[bowfiend]

I'm making a knife handle from some elk antler and I don't have any experience with this so I wanted to check my online, outdoors encyclopedia (you guys).  I'm working the antler into the shape I need for the handle pieces and, in the process, I'm revealing some of the porous inner antler. Will having the inner antler exposed detract from the look or structural integrity of the handle?

Also, I've had multiple suggestions for adhesives. In your experience, what's the best for antler aplications?

[jgbennett6]

yes that is the "marrow" and is pretty weak, when i use antler I usually stabalize it with CA (crazy) glue. to me the best adhesive is a good 2 part epoxt, also if you use that it will fill in teh spaces in that brittle section making it harder and more durable.

[highpockets]

Same here.  I sit the knife on its end and let the super-glue flow down into the marrow to make it rock hard.

I have also let stain flow down into marrow in some cases and made something pretty out of it.

I also use a two-ton two part apoxy with a 30 minute hardening time and heat to make it harden.  Don't overheat or you will warp your bone, just warm to the touch and the epoxy will harden better and have a much higher failure temp so when they leave the knife in a hot summer car the glue won't fail ;-)

[bowfiend]

Thanks for the info, guys.

[JEFF B]

ca glue all the way then 2 pot 24 hr epoxy works wonders. show us some pics.      

[tippit]

Same here, CA to stabalize any cracks or webby marrow.  It will polish up like marble.  You can do the same with dry, cracked, bleached bone.  Once polished all the pretty mineralized stains show thru.  Here is a pic of elk antler slab style handle.  The marrow is just as hard as the outer antler with very nice color of inner antler...Doc
 

 

[Dustin Waters]

How much of the crazy glue do you guys use?  Just let it soak all the way through?  If you are doing a stacked handle im assuming you cut your blocks from the antler then apply the super glue... Thanks for the info and good question.

[JEFF B]

hey doc nice knife    how much do you sell those for?

[tippit]

wolfman jeff,  
I'm still learning, once I get better might start selling  

Dustin,  If the bone or antler is real porous, soak it with CA, let it dry, and if pores are still open kleep adding more CA.  Once filled you will be grinding any excess glue away anyhow...Doc

[bowfiend]

Thanks for the pictures, Doc. That shows exactly what I was thinking about when I asked the question. Nice knife, too!