[TheForge] Elk Antler fireplace set

[Grover.Richardson at gtri.gatech.edu]

What about vacuum impregnating the antler with epoxy?  Just curious. 

~>-----Original Message-----
~>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
~>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Grant Marcoux
~>Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 4:04 PM
~>To: Sponsored by ABANA
~>Subject: RE: [TheForge] Elk Antler fireplace set
~>
~>Jim:  Elk antler can be a wonderful material....or it can be 
~>a nightmare.
~>This is usually a function of how "pithy" the center of the 
~>antler is.  If you see a lot of porous core in the antler, it 
~>will likely fail in use, unless it is first vacuum 
~>stabilized.  This will be especially true in fire tools that 
~>have torsion placed on the antler to handle joinery due to 
~>their length, OR are near heat sources.  Both K&G Supply and 
~>Texas Knifemaker's Supply offer stabilization services for 
~>natural materials.
~>
~>For handles, I would suggest using the largest section of the 
~>antler, which is found nearest the "button" that is the 
~>boundary between antler and skull.
~>Have it stabilized first, then drill it out.
~>
~>India Stag is arguably the most prized for handles, due to 
~>its much less pithy core.  I still have some, but I use it 
~>only for segments of hidden tang knife handles now.
~>
~>Grant
~>
~>Pilgrim Soul Forge
~>www.grantsforge.com
~>
~>-----Original Message-----
~>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
~>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Jim Guy
~>Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2007 11:41 AM
~>To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
~>Subject: [TheForge] Elk Antler fireplace set
~>
~>
~>I'm looking to make a fireplace tool set for my son, and I'd like to
~>incorporate an Elk antler for the stand.    What should I 
~>look out for in my
~>design?  I would think it would be pretty durable, but most 
~>fireplace tool sets using antlers seem to avoid steel to bone contact.
~>
~>My original thought was to drill a hole in the burr (the end 
~>that connects to the skull) and epoxy a threaded rod so I can 
~>attach it to the base of the
~>stand, and then hang the tools from the tines on the far end. 
~>   The tools
~>would have a oak leaf and acorn on the end with a bark texture.
~>
~>Should I instead use the elk antler to hide a shaft in the 
~>back and use it
~>end most branches to lean the fireplace tools against?     
~>Let me know what
~>does and doesn't work!
~>
~>
~>Thanks in advance!
~>
~>
~>Jim Guy
~>Conyers, Ga.
~>Jguy1 at ix.netcom.com
~>
~>
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