Warthog tusk for knife handle?

[TheBigRedArcher]

Hey all:

I was asked by a friend to make a knife using a warthog tusk he brought back from Africa. Being as I have never made a encapsulated tang knife. how do I go about affixing the blade to the handle?


TBRA

[Lin Rhea]

TBRA,
      The tang has to be narrowed to fit into a slot in a guard, then into the tusk. This all needs to be well fit and neat, then use a good quality epoxy to hold it all together.
       Holler back if you need more and keep us posted on the results. Lin

[TheBigRedArcher]

Thanks Lin:

Would it be easier to cut the tusk in half to hollow it out to accommodate the tang or should I just use a dremmel tool and bore it out? I could get another piece of tusk to practice with.

TBRA

[Lin Rhea]

TBRA,
       Do you have the tusk in your possession? I was under the impression they are hollow for part of their length. I'd just look at it first and decide. I would not split it unless I just have to. Lin

[robtattoo]

I have a couple in front of me here & they're totally hollow for about 80% of their length. Only the last inch or so is solid.

[Doug Campbell]

I've done a few on neck knives and such and don't know as I've seen one straight enough to split decently... I drill for a hidden tang then fill with epoxy. They are tend to split with age, (at least in MT) unless you "stabilize" them somehow. Make cool knife handles when you get them done, got three of em on the bench destined for knife handles right now.

[TheBigRedArcher]

The tusk I am using is hollow for about 40% of the length. So, do I just drill it out and file the inside to fit the tang? Epoxy filling is the easy part. and to stabilize it, would ca glue work? I can slather it on and wipe it off to seal it but would that prevent eventual cracking and checking?

TBRA