Antler handle question

[ArcticArcher]

I just put an elk antler on a knife blank.  The question is what do I do to finish the handle?  Do I put a light stain on it and then poly, or can I use tung oil on it.  Just really want to give it a good seal.

Thanks,

Nick

[JEFF B]

ok this is what i do i sand the antler then i get brasso and polish it then buff it in case you dont know brasso is a metal polish. any how it works awesome. show us pics when ya finish it.  

[ArcticArcher]

LOL i'm quite familiar with Brasso.  Polished a lot of trash cans and insignias while I was in the Army.  Never thought to use it on antlers.

Is Brasso the new WD-40?

[drewsbow]

I just use spray polly :0)

[drewsbow]

[MYSTIKBOW]

Dang Drew, you've been busy man.

[jgbennett6]

The first thing your going to want to do is stabalize the antler, What i use to do that is regualr CA glue, I let it soak into the antler from the Marrow, I soak it until it wont hold any more CA glue, then as a finish you can use Poly or spar uerthane, depends on how shiny you want it. But it is a good Idea to stabalize any wood or antler before you use it as handle material

[ber643]

jgb6, or whoever, Where do y'all buy this thin CA glue, for stabilizing purposes, in large enough (reasonably priced) quantities to soak wood/antler? Or do you apply it with a small brush or what?

[ber643]

ttt?^

[jgbennett6]

Honestly Bernie I know a lot of people do it a different way, but myself i buy the cheap 1.99 2 pack of regular... not gel!!   super glue, and i soak the antler from the membrane side, i put it on and let it soak in from all angles until it is good and saturated, make sure you do it in a very well ventilated area, and with everything else, make sure you wear a mask when grinding antler, bad stuff in your lungs!

[ber643]

Thanks, that's what I've started doing (after I heard/read about it) regarding stabilizing wood/antler but I thought it sounded like some of you were buying the CA in cans, bottles, etc.

(I gotta go order that book on knife making - LOL - even if i never make another one. I like learning new things    My school teachers would never belive it!)

[skullworks]

Don't want to sound dumb...but what is CA glue?

[brettlandon]

Cyanoacrylate.  Super-glue.

-Brett

[skullworks]

Thanks!

[ArcticArcher]

I appreciate the advice.  Like Bernie, I was wondering how much was needed.

[ber643]

Well, I did order the book (recommended by Daniel and blade mag)this afternoon (it's out of stock at Texas) from Jantz. They send you a free catalog with an order, if requested. I got excited and forgot to request one. So I sent them a message, about an hour later, at their "contact us" info - just as a hail Mary (figuring they'd never connect the two) explaining, and asking if they could try to see that one got in with the book. Well, they fooled me - I got a message confirming my order (standard fare) and not 10 minutes later I got a message (non-standard type) from a lady saying, "We will put a catalog in with your book." I know it is to their benefit to get their catalogs out to prospective knife builders but it still struck me as pretty neat - LOL LOL I think it is notable when you find a supplier where the right hand  does  know what the left one is doing.

[ArcticArcher]

I know what you mean I just got an order from Jantz, some annealed 1095 hi-carbon barstock.  Received it very quickly and looked thru the catalog.  I think I need to get 2 more jobs to get the stuff I liked.

Almost like getting my 3 Rivers catalog.  LOL.

BTW I got some of the CA (super glue) from walmart $1.63 per pack.  Just got finished "stabalizing" the handles.  Soaked up the glue like a garden does to water in the middle of summer.  I'll post pics when its all done.

[el oso]

When you soak handles in the super glue, what do you let them dry on so they don't stick?

[jgbennett6]

when you soak them in Ca glue the glu will now leak through or penetrate the actual hard "bone"  of the antler jsut teh softer mebrane stuff you you can either jsut lay it on a bench or hang it from a pin hole, it dries in a matter of seconds so its not something that takes very long.

[el oso]

And it works on wood too?